ACLU, Breasts, Law Schools, LSAT, Women's Issues

Attention Ladies: Nursing Moms Will Get Extra Time on the LSAT

LSAC has birthed a major about-face for women seeking entry to the legal profession. Will nursing moms finally get extra time on the LSAT?

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Back in October 2011, we brought you some depressing news about the battle of boobs v. brains when it came to LSAT accommodations. While students with ADD were permitted to receive double the standard testing time on each section of the exam, along with other test-taking luxuries, the Law School Admissions Council essentially gave nursing mothers a response that amounted to “tough titties” — literally.

(Maybe LSAC figured that if a pregnant woman can go into labor during the bar exam — and then pass the test — taking the LSAT while nursing shouldn’t be a big deal.)

Now, nine months later (how very apropos), LSAC has birthed a major about-face for women seeking entry to the legal profession. If you’re a nursing mother or are pregnant and plan to be nursing at or around the time of the next LSAT administration, it might serve you well to listen up….

When we first wrote about this issue, the ACLU had taken a special interest, noting that at least one nursing mother was told that she’d have to take the test under regular time constraints, wean her baby in time for the test, or “opt to take the test at a later time when she was no longer breastfeeding.”

Needless to say, we were surprised a women’s group hadn’t decided to hold an ever-popular nurse-in event in protest of LSAC’s unwillingness to afford accommodations to nursing moms. Even Steve Schwartz over at the LSAT Blog thought that LSAC would continue to act like an insolent baby, despite the policy’s unpopularity.

Thankfully, it seems like someone — or something (perhaps a lawsuit?) — was able to spank LSAC’s bottom. The organization has finally adopted a new policy on this issue, as you can see from the Announcements and News section of the LSAC website:

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At its June 1, 2012 meeting, the LSAC Board of Trustees adopted a new policy that will make it easier for some nursing mothers to sit for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT®). The policy makes it possible for a test-taker with a documented need for a lactation-related modification in the administration of the LSAT—such as extended or additional breaks—to request a modification for up to one year following the birth of her child. The request must be made in writing addressed to LSAC Test Administration by the regular registration deadline associated with the LSAT administration for which the test taker is registered. LSAC’s decisions on such requests will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Dear Lord, LSAC will only allow a “lactation-related modification” for up to one year following the birth of a child? We suppose that those who prescribe to the attachment parenting school of thought will have their pre-schoolers pen angry letters in crayon while they suckle upon their mother’s would-be teat of justice.

Law School Admission Council Adopts New Policy to Aid Nursing Mothers [LSAC]
Extra Time on the LSAT for Nursing Mothers [LSAT Blog]

Earlier: Boobs v. Brains: Who Wins When It Comes to LSAT Accommodations?
Pregnant Woman Takes Bar Exam While in Labor, Delivers Baby Right After!

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