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Student with Rett Syndrome denied exam adjustments by Qualifications Scotland
Overview
Romi Loffler, a 21-year-old student with Rett Syndrome who communicates by blinking and using eye-gaze technology, has been denied the chance to sit her National 5 history exam after Qualifications Scotland (QS) rejected her family's requested adjustments. Romi's family and college requested that she be allowed to complete the exam over several weeks or months and use pre-agreed word banks to manage fatigue. While similar arrangements have been permitted for GCSE exams in England, QS stated that adjustments must not impact standards or compromise the integrity of qualifications.
Key points
- Romi Loffler is a 21-year-old student with Rett Syndrome who cannot speak or move and communicates by blinking using eye-gaze technology.
- She achieved a National 4 history qualification last year and hoped to progress to National 5, which requires an exam.
- Her family and Glasgow Clyde College requested adjustments such as sitting the exam over weeks or months and using a bank of pre-agreed words.
- Qualifications Scotland rejected the requests, arguing they must maintain the integrity of qualifications and standards.
- Romi's mother highlighted that students with cerebral palsy in England successfully completed GCSEs over a five-month period using similar eye-gaze arrangements.
- Romi expressed anger at the decision, stating that exam systems should adapt to give disabled students a fair chance to demonstrate their knowledge.