When is an expert statement required? How is it decided?
Students with support needs may be eligible for modified testing requirements. Educational institutions apply their own policies, and a frequently asked question is: is an expert statement mandatory? In this explanation, we list the rules and give practical tips for exam committees, test experts and education professionals in secondary and higher education.
What does the handbook offer?
The handbook offers clarity on when an expert statement is needed for adapted testing facilities in mbo, hbo and wo, with practical tips for exam boards and education professionals.
Who is it intended for?
This guide is intended for exam boards, testing experts and education professionals involved in administering tests and exams for students with support needs.
Rules: Equal Treatment Act (Wgbh/cz).
The Equal Treatment on the Basis of Disability or Chronic Illness Act (Wgbh/cz) requires educational institutions to provide students with appropriate accommodations as long as they do not impose a disproportionate burden. The law does not require an expert statement. Educational institutions must assess for themselves whether an adaptation is necessary and appropriate, and where possible seek alternatives that better meet the student’s needs.
When is an expert statement needed?
Although the law does not impose an obligation, institutions are allowed to ask for an expert statement in certain cases. This has been confirmed by the Human Rights Board(judgment 2021-71). An important principle is that a statement may only be requested if it is necessary to carefully assess whether an adjustment is justified.
Specific guidelines apply to the VET, especially for central exams. The College for Tests and Examinations (CvTE) sets clear conditions for this. According to these guidelines, an expert statement is mandatory when the student has a disability that is not physical, sensory or somatic-chronic in nature – such as dyslexia, ADHD or autism. In such cases, the examination board must have a statement from a psychologist, remedial educationalist, neurologist or psychiatrist. The CvTE’s infographic explains, among other things, when an expert statement is needed to allow adjustments, and when it is not.
Who is an expert?
The law does not strictly define who may issue an expert statement. In practice, these are often doctors, psychologists or other health care professionals. Student deans may also issue a statement, depending on their expertise. Educational institutions have latitude to determine who they recognize as an expert, as long as it is reasonable and substantiated.
Case example
A hbo student with a chronic visual impairment has submitted a medical statement at the start of the study to claim adapted testing facilities. Each new academic year, the examination board requests a recent medical statement confirming the need for these facilities. Since this is a permanent condition, this is unnecessarily burdensome for the student. A one-time statement should be sufficient in this case.
Conclusion
Educational institutions are obliged to provide appropriate adjustments in tests and examinations. An expert statement may only be requested if this is really necessary to make a well-considered decision. The law does not prescribe who may issue such a statement; educational institutions may make their own reasonable choices in this regard. Additional guidelines from the CvTE apply to central examinations in secondary vocational education (VET), which in certain cases require a statement from an expert in the field. Less bureaucracy and more trust contribute to accessible, inclusive and workable education.
Getting started!
This information can also be downloaded as an infosheet.
