Rock and a Hard Place?
How can/should you approach the academic units on your campus to discuss what you now understand to be inappropriate technical standards? You need to be honest with students about the requirements they will face, but what happens when you know those requirements are open to challenge?
@BethReinhard Most of the time students have the directive and can see what dose not fit .When that standard can be challenged by students ,then there must be a change .
I think that you must initiate a posting in the CMS to explain the technical standards at the onset of the course. You also must reiterate this in your introduction.
@chstormy19 all people should be treated with consideration and respect. When working with those with a visable challenge one must allow the customer to self identify and state needs. Do not make assumptions about how to serve anyone.
You should not promise anything to the student. Requirements open to challenge should be brought to management.
I am an instructor and at my level I do not set the technical standards. My role of with the student is to teach and test on those standards. If I see a standard might be inappropriate I should bring it up to the appropriate person(s) on campus. It may be that the standard is perfectly reasonable since I cannot claim to be an expert in this area.
The student should be advised about what is required of them to pass their classes. I do have a problem with this as I feel that it is our responsibility to express what physical or other challenges the potential student may face on the job in their chosen career. If the student then feels that they are up to the challenge, then I am behind them 100%. The key is that they be informed.
I think it is very important to be as up front with students as possible. You don't want to discourage them from obtaining their goals but you also don't want to give them false hope. I believe that any student would appreciate the honesty and possibly the challenge.
Always go to the experts in the field, I will always go to the required individual with the expertise. Inform your Student/s what you are doing. Do not second guess.
I feel like this is something that should be discussed when there is time for open dialogue with supervisors and campus administrators. This could be risky dependent upon how sensitive they are to suggestions. However, this should be a formal conversation and I would try to come to the meeting prepared with facts and references.
By going to the source with the concern...you will not only get the results needed but you will be helping other depts. understand on how to best use the information you have uncovered.
The responsibility to protect the institution lies with every member of its faculty and staff. However, the decision to change a technical standard should be left to the ultimate decision maker. I always follow the chain of command. Since I am not the one making the decision, but I feel a responsibility to protect my institution, I would speak with my direct supervisor about it and let him/her disseminate the information to the appropriate individual.
One of my students asked a hypothetical question the other day, "why would our school allow a student to start a massage program if they were physically handicapped?"
My response to them was that the school might talk to them about the type of work environments they may be working in, but that would never get in the way of them being able to the job. Determined people can always find ways to fulfill their vocations and I will always strive to support anyone in that manner. There is equipment available that can make performing the tasks possible and it is up to the individual to determine if the costs that they will be incurring are acceptable to them.
My student then thanked me for enlightening them.
Changing minds one at a time is how it feels at times...
Very true, it seems like you need to be honest, but at the same time could be seen as discounting the student's ability by addressing it. It would help if there were clearer statutes that aided both sides in knowing how honest you can and should be in regards to employment expectations after graduation.
Jennifer,
Exactly. Remember, everyone, regardless of disability may face challenges within their chosen program of study. It doesn't necessarily mean they won't be successful.
Sarah Smoger
If I have a student with disabilities come in to enroll into a program I know they will face challenges I would let that student know I will ask if they need anything special accomidaitons at the moment. I would then immediatly discuss what options my D.O.A. would have me take. I do not want to chance making any inapropriate comments unknowingly.
It is extremely important to always err on the side of the law. When students decide to challenge requirements, it is not necessarily a bad thing. If an educational institution can respond to the students needs, it can be a good thing. Although an institution may not necessarily be required to make changes, doesn't mean that they won't. I would also add that if a student decides to challenge a requirement, that you do not respond with, "I will make that happen." Be genuine in your response, let them know that their concerns are noted, and escalate their challenge to Human Resources or to a Department Head.
I realize everything is open to interpretation; as educators we not only provide information in a manner to ensure the success of the student, we also need to advocate when we see a possible learning disability. The student may not be aware of their disability and those students that do have a disability may not realize they can apply for accommodations. It is these challenges that will need to be brought to the educational institution.
Quinne,
Yes, sometimes it's beneficial to put the student in contact with someone in the field-or a professional contact.
Sarah Smoger
When you are speaking to a student regarding the technical standards, you should be up front with them about what they will face, and then if they have concerns regarding the requirements, you should provide them with contacts for them to learn about possible accommodations.
