Disadvantaging Lefties isn't right.
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This video shows a left-handed person
answering an ACT math problem.
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When "Lefties" write in the workspace,
our hands obstruct the questions.
We can't see the math problems,
and the workspace, at the same time.
In order to solve the math problems,
Lefties have to memorize the information,
contort our wrists and arms
to get them out of our way,
or rewrite the problems into the workspace.
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This takes time,
which reduces the amount of time
Lefties have to take the timed ACT.
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This disadvantages Lefties.
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The "ACT" is one of the 2 major American college entrance exams.
1.91 million high school students took the ACT in 2018.
Approximately 10% of the population is left-handed,
so it's likely that 191,000 of those students were "Lefties."
When Lefties take the ACT, our hands block our view of the math problems,
answer columns, and science charts, as we write
in the designated workspace in the paper test booklets.
This puts left-handed test takers at a disadvantage
relative to right-handed test takers.
This disadvantage can result in lower ACT scores for Lefties,
especially in the math and science sections.
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These lower ACT scores cost Lefties acceptances to schools,
as well as opportunities to earn merit-based scholarships.
WHEN LEFTIES WRITE,
OUR HANDS OBSTRUCT OUR VIEW
OF THE TEST QUESTIONS.
This is what it's like to take the ACT for both a Righty and a Lefty:
RIGHTY
In the current format of the ACT math section, the problems and answer selections are on the left side of the page,
and the workspace is on the right side.
This arrangement gives righties an unobstructed view of the math problems, answer choices, and and workspace
AT THE SAME TIME.
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Righties have full view of the math problems, and answer choices, as they solve them in the workspace.
Righties take the ACT at right-handed desks.
Righties always have support for their right arms, for the entirety of the 3 to 3.5 hour test.
LEFTY
In the current format of the ACT math section, when Lefties solve the math problems, our hands and arms obstruct our ability to see the math problems, answer choices, and workspace, at the same time.
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To get the same visual field as righties, Lefties have to rewrite the math problems into the workspace so we can see the math problems in the space we are given to solve them.
To answer the math questions, Lefties have to memorize or rewrite the problems and answer selections, and continually reposition
our hands and arms, so they aren't in our way.
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This takes time, so Lefties have less time
available to solve the actual math problems.
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Also, Lefties usually take the ACT at right-handed desks,
without any support for our left arms
and uncomfortably contorted wrists,
for the duration of the 3 to 3.5 hour test.
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Compare the videos below.
On the LEFT is a RIGHTY.
The Righty can see the answer choices and the problem
as they solve it in the workspace.
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On the RIGHT is a LEFTY.
The Lefty can't see the answer choices or the problem
as they solve it in the workspace.
SCANTRON
DESIGN IS BIASED
AGAINST LEFTIES, TOO.
When Lefties fill in the answer bubbles,
our left hands block the numbers
that identify the question we are answering.
This increases the likelihood that
we will accidentally fill in the wrong answer bubbles.
Making sure we answer the "right" questions,
with our obstructed view, takes Lefties extra time.
THIS IS A RIGHTY
FILLING OUT A SCANTRON.
When a right-handed person fills out a scantron, they can see the number of the question they are answering, ANDÂ the answer choices, as they fill in the answer bubbles.
THIS IS A LEFTY
FILLING OUT A SCANTRON.
When a left-handed person fills out a scantron, our hands block the question numbers as we fill in the answer bubbles.
This costs left-handed test-takers extra time, and increases the likelihood that we will answer the wrong question by mistake.
A left-handed scantron would have the question numbers
to the right of the answer bubbles.
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A universal scantron would have the question numbers
on both sides of the answer bubbles.
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This is a disadvantage for lefties on
ALL right-hand biased scantron tests.
Not just the ACT.
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The ACT already offers accommodations to many test-takers.
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The ACT offers alternative test formats to test takers with physical disabilities.
Tests are offered in audio, Braille, and 18 point font.
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The ACT offers accommodations to test takers with psychiatric and learning disabilities.
They provide them with comfortable surroundings, and allow them extra time
to complete the test.
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The ACT offers accommodations to test takers who aren't fluent in English.
Students who aren't fluent in English are permitted to bring their own translation dictionaries
into the test, and they are given up to 50% more time to complete it.
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THE ACT DOES NOT OFFER
AN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT
FOR LEFT-HANDED TEST TAKERS.
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There are 2 test format options that would be equitable
for left-handed test takers:
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A Left Handed Test
A left-handed test would simply be a reverse format of the current test.
It would have the math problems and answer selections on the right side of the page,
and the workspace on the left side.
A Universally Designed Test
A universally designed test would center the questions,
and answer selections on the page, directly above the workspace.
This would be an equitable format for both right AND left-handed test takers.
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Also,
Even though the ACT does not offer an equitable test format for left-handed test takers,
they will NOT allow Lefties to use a blank piece of scratch paper so we can position it in a way that allows us to see the math problems while we solve them,
without the need to recopy them, or painfully contort our arms and wrists.
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The ACT will neither provide us a piece of blank paper,
nor permit us to furnish our own.
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Lefties usually take the 3 hour ACT at right-handed desks,
without the benefit of left arm support.
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Even though the ACT asks if we are right or left-handed when we register to take it.
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They won't even allow Lefties to have an extra test booklet to be used as scratch paper for math problems, and help solve the problem that Lefties encounter in the ACT science section, because our hands and arms block the charts and graphs we must reference to
answer the science questions.
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These charts and graphs cannot be reproduced, like the math questions.
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This costs lefties visibility, time,
and points in the science section.
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A blank piece of paper and an extra test booklet would help reduce the unequal treatment Lefties encounter when we take the right-hand biased ACT.
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The ACT has repeatedly denied requests for these simple
and inexpensive accommodations.
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It is unacceptable for left-handed students to be disadvantaged due to a difference in their physical capabilities.
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10% of high school students should not be denied the opportunity to achieve their best scores on college entrance exams.
Left-handed high school students deserve testing conditions equal to those of right-handed high school students.
Left-handed college applicants should have the equal opportunity to compete for admission to schools, and merit scholarships.
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The ACT needs to offer a left-handed or universally designed test format, because disadvantaging Lefties isn't right.
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