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by Joan Azarva
Jul 17, 2009
After having worked for 13 years as a college Learning Specialist, I resigned in 2006, dismayed by the poor success rate of college students with learning disabilities. By 2006, there were so many students disclosing and requesting services that I could see students only once in two weeks; I couldn't possibly provide the level of support they neede...See MoreAfter having worked for 13 years as a college Learning Specialist, I resigned in 2006, dismayed by the poor success rate of college students with learning disabilities. By 2006, there were so many students disclosing and requesting services that I could see students only once in two weeks; I couldn't possibly provide the level of support they needed to succeed.
Under-staffing at college and university disability offices is the rule, with few exceptions, and usually those are the ones offering specialized programs. As a result, it is common for students with LD to be set up to fail from day one; unfortunately, neither they nor their parents realize that.
Because high school and college are such different systems, and students and parents haven't been schooled in how to navigate college with a disability, students inadvertently make errors that quickly result in a downhill slide. After an unsuccessful first semester, those who entered college with hope for a better future are terribly discouraged. Many of them leave after their first year.
The tragedy of this is threefold:
a. These students leave school thinking they are not "college material", when in fact, that isn't necessarily the case. Had they made different decisions and had proper support, the outcome could have been far brighter.
b. Where do you go after failing college, particularly community college, where the multitude of LD students begins? You go to tech school, if you're so inclined, or you are relegated to a low-paying menial job.
c. Parents, feeling it's their duty to sacrifice and provide their kids with higher education, unknowingly throw their tuition dollars away. In the worst case scenario, the student takes a loan, has a good deal of money to re-pay (with interest), yet has no degree or higher-paying job to show for it. In essence, this student is WORSE off than before!
I know that the outcome can be different because I've sat on both sides of the desk; I raised a son with LD who graduated college successfully, but his success was hardly accidental. It was the result of researching extensively, preparing him for the college system, and assuring he had a strong safety net of support.
For me, watching capable college students fail was unbearable. Feeling ineffectual at my job wasn't much fun either. I realized that it's almost impossible to rescue students once they have fallen into an abyss and their self-esteem is at rock-bottom.
In essence, well-meaning parents think they are doing right by their teens, providing them the opportunity for higher education. What they REALLY are doing is sending their teens off with a tuition check and a backpack, trusting that the colleges will take over from there. NOT TRUE - this isn't Kansas anymore!
Upon my resignation in 2006, I vowed to come up with a PROACTIVE solution --to reach these students while still in high school. It seemed more sensible to teach them how to succeed in advance, rather than risk they'd fail, as approximately 84% of these students do.
I started a free e-list to arm parents with knowledge of the college system, so they can now enter this uncharted territory with eyes wide open. Anyone can subscribe at [link removed].
I also wrote a course for this cohort which I teach locally and online. For each student who fails, not only do we lose a creative mind, we risk adding yet another person to our already over-crowded criminal justice system, a large percentage of which is people with learning differences.
It is my hope that a proactive approach will FINALLY give special education students the fair shot at college success they deserve.
by Gary Anderson
Jul 18, 2009
Concerning the previous discussion, for those concerned about principal bullying, there is a book by Joe Blase, Breaking the Silence, Overcoming the Problem of Principal Mistreatment of Teachers, that might be helpful.
For those interested in principals who see themselves as advocates for teachers and children, see my book:
Gary...See MoreConcerning the previous discussion, for those concerned about principal bullying, there is a book by Joe Blase, Breaking the Silence, Overcoming the Problem of Principal Mistreatment of Teachers, that might be helpful.
For those interested in principals who see themselves as advocates for teachers and children, see my book:
Gary Anderson (2009) Advocacy Leadership: Toward a post-reform agenda. New York: Routledge.
by Teachers.Net
Jul 27, 2009
[link removed].
by National Council on Educating Black Children
Aug 10, 2009
The National Council on Educating Black Children is developing a Maryland State Council. We are seeking parents, students, educators, administrators, and other professionals who consider themselves "stakeholders" in the quality education of African American youth in the State of Maryland. If you would like to join our "coalition of the willing", pl...See MoreThe National Council on Educating Black Children is developing a Maryland State Council. We are seeking parents, students, educators, administrators, and other professionals who consider themselves "stakeholders" in the quality education of African American youth in the State of Maryland. If you would like to join our "coalition of the willing", please visit the web site and complete the "contact us" form.
This movement requires immediate attention and informational meetings will be taking place soon. Please contact us today so that we may empower you (and your community) with the tools to make a difference.
(No money is required at any time.....)
Thank you.
by bandana elayalwar
Aug 30, 2009
i hold MSc Maths and BEd Maths and Physical Science and having 10 years of experience in India and abroad also pls let me know the details
by Jennifer Luznar
Feb 28, 2010
AARGH, this is happening much more slowly than I had originally thought, but in NO way am I throwing in the towel!
Thinking that an increase in Internet activity would capture the attention of our leaders and cause them to SUFFICIENTLY fund our public schools, I put “E Cubed Alliance” up on Facebook. You needn’t write a thing, but re...See MoreAARGH, this is happening much more slowly than I had originally thought, but in NO way am I throwing in the towel!
Thinking that an increase in Internet activity would capture the attention of our leaders and cause them to SUFFICIENTLY fund our public schools, I put “E Cubed Alliance” up on Facebook. You needn’t write a thing, but realize that when all interested parties become fans, the formation of a solid voice will result, and it shall be OUR voice for our government officials to hear. When an Internet wildfire blazes across our great country, I do believe that our officials will get the message that we the people wish our taxpayer dollars to be invested in America’s public schools.
E CUBED ALLIANCE – EXPECTING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
When our leaders make public education a priority, when America’s respect of public education returns, and when EVERYONE is focused on strengthening our public schools, GREAT things will happen for our America. This is why we Americans MUST unite on this!
by Jennifer Luznar
Mar 28, 2010
I wish to invite all of America's teachers to please become Facebook fans of "E Cubed Alliance - Expecting Educational Excellence", for our public schools must undergo reform and until we all unite in this effort, we have NO right to complain!
This may seem to be, in a way, a "teenager" thing to say but it needs to be said.
My new principal is taking away everything that this high school is and I'm getting sick of it. First of all, we have something called "May Week" and we have always had it. May week is the only week of the school where we get to take a break and have fun, do...See MoreThis may seem to be, in a way, a "teenager" thing to say but it needs to be said.
My new principal is taking away everything that this high school is and I'm getting sick of it. First of all, we have something called "May Week" and we have always had it. May week is the only week of the school where we get to take a break and have fun, do community service, and other activities. He has now taken it away, it is now "May Day" where all we do is community service for one day then, we have to write a five paragraph essay on it. If we don't go to school that day, we must write a five page essay on something else.
Second of all, he has taken away our senior lounge where the seniors get too eat there lunch away from everyone else because it is too "dangerous". Again, we have always had it and now it's taken away.
Third of all, at the end of every school year we have had a giant slip-and-slide down the hill next to the school that we have every year. This one wasn't final, but it's in thought.
Last of all, my "favorite one", my friend has been working on her senior project most of the year, she has been working on the after prom, it was already passed by the school board. With three months of school left, he decided that she couldn't do it. And with already 400 dollars donations, she doesn't know what to do with it.
His excuse for all of this, "We do not need any of it."
Please help me figure out what to do. E-mail me at either [email removed].
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