Fairness
What are some strategies to use to accommodate a student with a learning disability, but prevent students without a disability from feeling that student is gaining an unfair advantage?
I agree. Helping a student's disabilities can be introduced throughout your lecture. Bold lettering and certain types of hand outs can help a lot.
Leigh,
this is an excellent point & one that we need to make sure we keep in mind & apply. This is why we need to get to know our students as individuals & what has worked for them personally in the past.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
If you read the verbage of the IEP laws it says that students should be given equal opportunity to be SUCESSFUL. Allowing students to use accomidations helps a student be successful. It also allows the special needs students to have a FAIR and level access to learning. So what ones student needs to be equal is NOT always what another needs.... treating everyone ALIKE... We are NOT all alike. So fair & equal in the eyes of education are NOT interchangable terms. I explain this concept to anyone who has a problem with students using accomodations.
Kenneth,
this is a great point. The less big deal we make out of the students' situation, the less they will feel isolated or singled out.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have played it very low key in the past. This helps confidentiality, keeps students from feeling like they are somehow a "loser", keeps other students from focusing on "special treatment" and, frankly, it is probably easier for me. Without changing course requirements, it is has not proved that challenging to relocate students or accomodate a different time slot for testing for example. I am a big advocate of "study buddies" for every student, this includes high achievers and those with difficulties. It does require the student self identifiy as someone requiring help. I present this at the beginning of the course and let everyone know they can approach me about it outside of class as some more easily feel stigmatized.
I would say keep it confidential. There is no reason the class needs to know what special needs another student may need. If a student requires more attention then that should be given in a tutoring session where specific questions can be answered.
As a parent with a learning disabled student it is hard for everyone. She has used her disability to get reduced workload in the past which is frustrating. Additionally, sometimes she just can't manage the amount of reading for comprehension. There is a fine line, especially with teaching for a career, to ensure your students are learning what they need to know without excess that is unnecessarily frustrating.
That is a hard because other student become uncomfortable and began feeling leftout, cheat I can list a laundry list. In one simple word TOUGH
Confidentiality is key with this. The student's rights and privacy must be protected. There could be a sense of unfairness among other students if they believe that a student is receiving special accommodations.
Anthony,
yes unfortunately I do think there are those students out there who like to take advantage of their situation.
Dr. Ryan Meers
That is hard. Sometimes I feel like the students take advantage of the fact. I have had one student that said he could not take the test unless the instructor of that course read it to him. Not any other person or instructor. I felt that was a little far fetched.
Saranna,
yes, this is generally the best course of action if those resources are available.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Robert,
this is tricky, I would say try to keep it as quiet as possible.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Using bold or italics styled print is a tool that would not unfairly give the disbaled student any special treatment.
here i would access the school's resources for disabilities and the ADA as well, who could point me in a direction to assist the student without giving unfair advantage.
