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Re: LD Students/ don't take tests so seriously
Posted by FMT in CA on 8/23/08

My thanks to all who are making some excellent points. This is
really helpful.

My son used extended time in high school. He never had a note taker
although I think it would be a good idea.

I am concerned about the reading. If anything, he tends to be
inconsistent in this area. He has passed state test with extra
time so that tells me a tape for his most challenging class could
be a good idea. Am I on the right track?

On 8/23/08, Teacher of LD students in Texas wrote:
> First of all if your son is going to college here are some
> acceptable accomodations that you should tell your son to
> request when he visits and self advocates with the disabilities
> counselor:
>
> 1. Voice activated recorder for lectures so that he can have a
> set complete set of lecture notes (I do not know how well he
> takes notes)
>
> 2. Make arrangements to take all tests in a separate monitored
> room. Most colleges will not permit open book or open note
> tests like high schools do.
>
> 3. If possible, see about getting the college textbooks on
> tape. LD students often do not have a 12th grade reading level
> but if they hear the material and follow along in the textbook,
> they can be successful.
> Textbooks can be gotten from the same place that provides
> textbooks on tape for the blind. I think you must have
> documentation that your son reads several years below grade
> level.
>
> 4. If your son has a hard time taking notes, have him tell the
> college or university that he needs a notetaker in classes.
>
> 5. Because students know when assignments are due well in
> advance, most professors will not give extra time for
> completion of projects, homework or research papers.
>
> 6. Unlike high school, professors do not have to work with
> students who have disabilities. Some professors will be LD
> students at the door with an administration class withdrawal
> which means the student must go to the registrars office to get
> the class with another teacher. This happened to my daugher
> once.
>
> 7. If your son is getting a degree that requires a state exam,
> do not expect any test modifications such as only answer the
> odd questions or grade only half the questions. I know a
> teacher in Texas who asked for this and it was denied on all of
> these.
>
>
>
> On 8/21/08, Sara wrote:
>> There are more than few people who would tell you that many
>> Americans - some would say most - read on a 5th grade level.
>> So if your son reads on a 6th grade level, he beats them -
>> he's ahead of the pack.
>>
>> I'd also say - you're getting a mishmash of different tests -
>> these tests are not perfect in their judgment. Nor is any
>> person the same on one day as the next - there are many
>> factors that can influence test scores. (why was he taking a
>> vocational test anyway? Who was that test for?)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Now after the report this summer about a 6th grade reading
>>> level I am concerned. My first thought is to encourage him
>>> to use extended time.
>>
>> For what? His college tests? He should use extended time and
>> that should be a part of his College IEP.
>>
>> I figure extended time is not
>>> acceptable when being tested for a learning disability and
>>> when working with a school psychologist.
>>
>> Extended time for educational testing, for ed. psych testing?
>> The time given people when taking these tests is a part of
>> the process.
>>>
>>> Do you think I would be correct in thinking that extended
>>> time does fly when being tested for LD?
>>
>> Why would you want that??? What's the point?
>>>
>>> The report upset my son. I tried to explain that extended
>>> time is what helps him do okay. He felt degraded by the
>>> tone of the report. It said his educational goals were
>>> community college and college as well as trade schools.
>>
>> Don't let one test do this to you and to him. Toss these test
>> results out - he's going to college, why is he taking a votech
>> test anyway?
>>>
>>> What levels are the IEP students reading in high school?
>>> Are they going to college?
>>
>> I have some very weak readersin colleges, I have a blind
>> student - how well do you think she reads?
>>>
>>> I am thinking about encouraging my son to do an online
>>> speed reading course during winter break. (Fluency is the
>>> problem I think) Do you think this is a good idea?
>>
>> NO. If you want his reading skills to improve, he should do
>> this. He should read for 15-20 minutes every night in a book
>> that's below his reading level. That will build fluency.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I know I have gone on and on. At this point I suggested
>>> that he use the disability services.
>>
>> Why not? My son did straight through college and now is using
>> those services and extended time in medical school.
>>>
>>> I keep thinking high stakes testing in high school versus a
>>> 6th grade reading level.
>>
>> Don't. Put the votech test out of your mind.
>>>
>>> Comments welcomed.

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Posts on this thread, including this one


• LD Students, 8/20/08, by FMT in CA.
• Re: LD Students, 8/20/08, by take it easy.
• Re: LD Students/ don't take tests so seriously, 8/21/08, by Sara.
• Re: LD Students/ don't take tests so seriously, 8/23/08, by FMT in CA.
• Re: LD Students/ don't take tests so seriously, 8/23/08, by Teacher of LD students in Texas.
• Re: LD Students/ don't take tests so seriously, 8/23/08, by FMT in CA.
• Re: LD Students/ don't take tests so seriously, 8/23/08, by Texas High School teacher of LD students.