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Re: LD Students/ don't take tests so seriously
Posted by Texas High School teacher of LD students on 8/23/08

You are on the right road. Since reading is incosistent get textbooks
and novels on tape for him to listen to as he follows along.

On 8/23/08, FMT in CA wrote:
> 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.