The validity of the Spelling and Grammar Waiver as a reasonable accommodation in Leaving Certificate examinations in Ireland

In Ireland, dyslexic students can apply for reasonable accommodations in Leaving Certificate examinations. One such accommodation is the Spelling and Grammar Waiver (SGW). Questions have been raised regarding its validity, and it has been suggested that it gives an unfair advantage. Mock Leaving Certificate English paper scripts were collected from 31 dyslexic students who had been granted an SGW and 31 nondyslexic students who had not been granted any accommodations. All scripts were marked twice, eight weeks apart, by the same marker, once in the standard fashion and once with an SGW. Dyslexic students’ scripts marked with an SGW had a significantly higher mean score than when marked in the standard way, and it was similar to the mean unaccommodated score of nondyslexic students. However, nondyslexic students also received a similar boost in scores when accommodated. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed no “differential boost” for the dyslexic group, but a significant boost for both groups when accommodated. Results suggest that the SGW is not a valid accommodation but confers an advantage to those that have it. This study needs replication using larger numbers, with real Leaving Certificate scripts and examiners, and the reasons for the increase in scores also need investigation

A comparison of two distinct counseling styles, rational analytic and reconstructive, on client verbal behavior.

EducationDoctor of Education (Ed.D.

The promise and perils of regulating ipso facto clauses

It is common for contracts to include a clause that provides that on an event of default the counterparty has an unconditional right to terminate the contract or accelerate payment (an ipso facto clause). The regulation of ipso facto clauses has become a topic of debate in recent years with a number of jurisdictions introducing constraints on such clauses as part of broader restructuring reform packages. These jurisdictions include Germany in 2021 (as part of its implementation of the EU Restructuring Directive) and the United Kingdom in 2020. For jurisdictions introducing such constraints for the first time, there is much to learn from those, such as Canada, that have had constraints on ipso facto clauses in place for much longer. This article examines the experience in Canada alongside the constraints introduced in the United Kingdom, the EU Restructuring Directive and Germany, and identifies a series of steps that policymakers should follow when revising a regime on ipso facto clauses. Although there are a number of common themes that emerge, it is clear that different jurisdictions often make quite distinct policy choices regarding the rationale for any constraints on ipso facto clauses as well as on the specific nature and scope of the provisions. Different jurisdictions find different points of balance between the interests of individual creditors in upholding their freedom of contract and the rights of the debtor and creditors as a whole in preserving the business as a going concern. The range of choices is not per se problematic as long as they are implemented with clarity and transparency, so that debtors and creditors can bargain ex ante in the light of any legislative provisions.Publikationsfonds ML

Perceptions of College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder on the Transition to Remote Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 caused a major shift in how college students, including those with disabilities, received their education during the Spring 2020 semester. The rapid shift to remote learning resulted in new challenges, but also, some benefits for students. This study presents the results of open-ended responses of a cohort of 31 students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who were part of a larger study and enrolled in very- to highly competitive institutions (as rated by U.S. News and World Report) during the Spring 2020 semester regarding their experiences, both positive and negative, in shifting to remote learning. The students described advantages, including personal and academic benefits with remote learning as well as disadvantages. These problematic areas included the structure and infrastructure of course delivery, environmental factors, social factors, and personal factors. Specific examples of each are presented to help richly capture the experiences of these students during an unprecedented period in history

Chasing assets abroad : ideas for more effective asset tracing and recovery in cross-border insolvency

Asset tracing and recovery (ATR) has become highly challenging in the digital age, where, with the touch of computer keys, assets can be shifted through multiple jurisdictions within minutes, creating significant challenges for recovering value. While many countries have tools to enable ATR, these tools differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and often are not recognized across borders in a manner that keeps pace with the need for rapid ATR, particularly during insolvency. This article takes stock of the myriad ATR tools available in domestic systems to discern parameters of key ATR tools that have common objectives, features, and safeguards, and that can form the basis of more standardized understanding and application of such tools. It also explores the extent to which cross-border ATR is aided by the leading frameworks for global, cross-border insolvency—the UNCITRAL Model Laws on Cross-Border Insolvency, insolvency-related judgments, and enterprise groups—in the process, revealing gaps and uncertainties. Such uncertainties can result in losses to stakeholders affected by insolvencies of different business sizes but can be particularly detrimental in small and medium enterprise (SME) cross-border insolvencies where there are typically more limited resources to chase assets. Against this backdrop, this article proposes ideas for the enhancement of the cross-border insolvency framework, to allow for effective cross-border access to information held abroad, the freezing of assets in cross-border cases, and the cross-border recovery of assets

Help for Europe’s Zombie Banks? – Open Questions Regarding the Designated Use of the European Bank Resolution Regime

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The Online and Blended Learning Experience: Differences for Students With and Without Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

As colleges and universities offer more classes in both online and technology blended formats, students with learning disabilities (LD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will face new learning demands. Compared to traditional face-to-face courses, online and blended courses require increased self-management and executive functioning skills, which research indicates can underlie many common learning challenges for students with LD and ADHD. This article presents the outcomes of interviews with postsecondary students with LD and/or ADHD who were enrolled in online and blended courses and compares these experiences to a sample of students without disabilities. Barriers and opportunities to enhance learning are discussed from the students’ perspective, as are suggestions to enhance the planning and development of online and technology blended courses

Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the safety in use of Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille)

The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food provides a scientific opinion evaluating the safety in use of yohimbe bark and its preparations originating from Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille when used in food, e.g. in food supplements. The bark of the plant contains a number of indole alkaloids of biological relevance and preparations of yohimbe bark have been traditionally used as general tonic, performance enhancer and as an aphrodisiac. Food supplements containing yohimbe bark preparations are available nowadays, especially via internet retail. Yohimbine, the major alkaloid of yohimbe bark and raubasine, another alkaloid occurring in lower concentrations in the bark, are used as active ingredients in a number of medicinal products for which adverse effects are described. The Panel reviewed the available scientific data on a possible association between the intake of yohimbe bark and its preparations and potential harmful effects on health. When those data were not available, priority was given to yohimbine, as the only alkaloid for which occurrence had been shown and quantified in food supplements containing yohimbe bark. The Panel concluded that the chemical and toxicological characterisation of yohimbe bark and its preparations for use in food are not adequate to conclude on their safety as ingredients of food, e.g. in food supplements. Thus the Panel could not provide advice on a daily intake of yohimbe bark and its preparations that do not give rise to concerns about harmful effects to health. An estimation of exposure to yohimbine from food supplements was performed showing that theoretical maximum daily intake may exceed the maximum approved daily dose of yohimbine from use as a medicinal product