English other language and dyslexia, bucks

[Anca]

Hi, thank you very much for all the information which we can read on this forum, this is very useful.
Our son got 114 and 110. We are family which speaks other language at home, our son was at English school from Reception, but with 6 months break in Y2. He has educational assessment which shows his problems which can be signs of dyslexia. He is great in Non Verb (very high scores) and high (don't know exactly yet) in both other test in CAT tests. We also have an educational test done in our home language which shows his very high IQ (136). Will it help us and can we use this test?
Thank you very much for your help!
(background information is available in the Appeals Box)

[Etienne]

Welcome!

It might be possible to put forward a case that your son's strengths are on the maths/science/NVR side - but you will need a lot of evidence.

He has educational assessment which shows his problems which can be signs of dyslexia.

Was this done by an educational psychologist?

He is great in Non Verb (very high scores)

How high?

and high (don't know exactly yet)

It would be interesting to have the score for Quantitative Reasoning.

We also have an educational test done in our home language which shows his very high IQ (136). Will it help us and can we use this test?

You can use it, and the panel will have a duty to consider it, but I'm not sure whether it will carry any weight. It depends which test was used, who administered it, etc.

[Anca]

Thank you for your so quick answer! The test it was a proper Wechsler test for children, done by psychologist, with stamp and sign, adres with the institute where she works. The educational assessment here was done by a person who is specialist in Dyslexia and literacy, it says MA, PGCert Dyslexia & Literacy, APS, EAA, DLA practising certificate. I even don't know what all this mean? But doesn't look like education.al psychologists?

[Etienne]

The test it was a proper Wechsler test for children, done by psychologist, with stamp and sign, adres with the institute where she works.

It's a reputable American test that has been adapted for a number of countries. Is her report written in English?

The educational assessment here was done by a person who is specialist in Dyslexia and literacy, it says MA, PGCert Dyslexia & Literacy, APS, EAA, DLA practising certificate. I even don't know what all this mean? But doesn't look like education.al psychologists?

No, but has Approved Practitioner Status (British Dyslexia Association).

[Anca]

No, its not in English, can we translate it and attach with original?
The other one, in English, is very long - should we send it whole? Will the panel read it?

[Etienne]

No, its not in English, can we translate it and attach with original?

I'm doubtful that a report in a foreign language - without an official, independent translation - is going to carry much weight.

The other one, in English, is very long - should we send it whole?

Yes - if you don't, it begs the question "What is being omitted and why?"!

Will the panel read it?

Yes, although they will skim through it to try and find what they think are the main points. It might be a good idea to underline for them what you think are the main points.

[Anca]

Is it than worth to take it to an official translator? This test shows facts really important for his academic evidence, would be big disadvantage not to be able to show it. In the English test his abilities are not so high - some are very high (semantic fluency over 90), some are in 80's percentile (all ability tests, plus reading composite and maths) and some lower - as it is expected from child with dyslexia problems. The test done in his home language brings much higher marks. I think that it shows his full potential.

[Etienne]

Is it than worth to take it to an official translator?

I think so. If you consider this to be an important part of your case, then it seems to me you need an independent, official translation.

It needs to be submitted in advance - don't just turn up at the hearing with it!
I'm not sure how quickly you can get this done. See:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... aneous#e26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
regarding late evidence.

[Anca]

Thank you so much for your answer, I checked it and it looks like I may be able get the translation in a few days time. What kind of qualification should I expect from that person to make sure it is the expected level of official translation?

[Marylou]

Anca,

We don't have an official system of "certified translators" in this country, though there are plenty of highly qualified and experienced translators with professional credentials who would be able to help you. I am a freelance translator and whenever I am asked to provide a certified translation I am able to self-certify as a member the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.

If you contact that organization on http://www.iti.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; under the "search for translator" section, choose "translators" then state your language (or the language the report is written in) as the source language and English as the target language, and under subject area choose "Humanities" then "Education and training", and you will be shown a list of translators who match your criteria and have passed a fairly stringent process to qualify for membership of the ITI. You can contact them directly, therefore cheaper than going through an agency!

If you can't find a translator this way let me know and I'll see if I can help you locate someone suitable - which language is the report in, by the way?