Adam,
I don't disagree with anything you've said here, Adam, but I am still not sure how it relates to the prompt that was given --
"Accommodations are assigned to facilitate access, not success." How does this quote compare with your experience in providing accommodations to students with disabilities?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Dr. Jarrow,
I think that the content of the class plays a very important part in the cultural thought process I was discussing, as we are very focused on ensuring that every student has access to as many opportunities to be successful as they feel that they can take advantage of, based on their motivation, ability, and desire to be engaged. If they are interested in pursuing a certain approach, then it is our responsibility to act as a catalyst for them by providing whatever resources and support we can, allowing them to then focus on the requirements of the journey.
Adam,
Sounds like a great plan, Adam. But I am not sure what it says about the content of this class. ???
Dr. Jane Jarrow
We have found that setting the proper cultural tone with ALL of our team members, as well as our students is critical. We steive to create an environement where success is earned through hard work and rigorous academic discipline. The tools that a student uses to achieve that end result of success, within reasonable limits of course, are not, nor should not be the focus, but rather the success that the student creates should be. (Assuming that the student does not seek to in some way skirt the system, or bring to bear inappropriate tools to create that success ).
Alicia,
You are right. That is WHY the laws were developed. This is, first and foremost, a civil rights issue.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Someone having a disability should not deny them the same access to the level of education that everyone else without a disability is entitled to.
Toshsa,
That's exactly right. Students with disabilities have the right to succeed -- OR fail -- just as other students do.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It rings very true in my opinion. It is the school's responsibility to provide reasonable accomodations, however the student is still required to perform well enough with the accomodations to pass/succeed. Not every student who is without a disability will be successful just as every student with a disability will not be successful.
Viviana,
I am glad your institution has resource people available to you, as an instructor, to help in in determining your role and your obligation (and the limits!) to students with disabilities. Just remember that the students who complain or misread the situation are not ALL the students with disabilities in your classes. Don't let the inappropriate demands of a few color your view of the rest.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
You're not alone Tim. My class room has been filled with students like what you just explained. As instructors with students like these, either we are the best teachers or the worst teachers. I find a lot of solace in speaking with not only my director, but also other instructors in my field who may share the same student/s. Having everyone involved in the student's "belief system" makes life easier on us, and better yet, the consistency in proper aid and reprimands for those students will hopefully help the student begin to take more responsibility. Good luck! We are all in this together.
Andrew,
That's exactly right. The success will be their own. We are just clearing the path.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Just as the quote says, you are given the tools to succeed and "level the playing field" but it's up to you to use them and create success with them. We are accommodating this student so that they have the same equal opportunity that anyone else has, now it's their responsibility to make their future happen!
Leslie,
You are correct. PTSD can be caused by a variety of trauma (from serving in the military to being the victim of a violent crime, to being caught in a natural disaster, and much more. It isn't the trauma that is consistent, but rather the symptomology.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I noticed some participation posts regarding PTSD. I wonder if this is a condition that is claming more and more people. It is my understanding that PTSD does not just happen to individuals who have served in the military recently, but can also happen to individuals who have had other types of traumatic experiences.
LaKim,
That's true. What kind of choices are you thinking of?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Every student should regardless of his/her handicap should be given the same choices as someone who with out a handicap.
matthew,
You are right. We do not want to be advocating for different expectations or lowered standards. We want students with disabilities to meet the same standards we expect of others, and we are willing to give accommodations to see they have an equal chance to do just that.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Crystal,
Couldn't have said it better myself! Good job.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
i believe this quote is very accurate, a student with a disability should not be taken by the hand and have work done for them, rather be given the access to help
The quote explains well the laws in effect that protect those with disabilities. It tells us very briefly that by providing accomodations to a disabled student does not mean we are handing success to them on a silver plater. We are simply giving them the leg up they need to be at the same level. We are facilitating them to give them access to the same opportunities.
