Wednesday, June 8, 2011
additional thoughts
I know this blog was created for learning styles but I ran into a huge educational problem today and would love to know what the world really thinks and if there is ever going to be a solution to the problem. Ok I completely understand that students have learning disabilities, but do you really think that as an instructor of college students studying to be Medical Assistant's or Surgical Technologist that the IEP's are appropriate ? Here is my thought on this and it is frustrating. If we make all kinds of accommodation while they are in school to help them succeed through school, who is going to make the accommodations in life for these students ? So they pay out 26,000 to come to school, they pass only because all kinds of exceptions were made and they get a piece of paper that says that they graduated. When it comes time for national testing like the RMA or the RST there are no accommodations made and students fail the exam. So in the end it is really success ? And what type of success is it if they can't pass the exam or obtain a job ? How are they held accountable for the 26,000 in student loans ?
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I totally agree with your statements on the IEP and how people are lead to believe things that may not always be true. How do you try to help students who have disabilities feel that they can succeed and make it in their profession? I am curious because I have encountered similar situations and try very hard to help the student but sometimes don't know what to say.
ReplyDeleteAn IEP is meant to protect a person from discrimination also. Yes it is frustrating that students with disabilities are allowed accommodations that allow them to pass a class but most likely wont allow them to pass the proficiency exams to get licensed in their career choice.
ReplyDeleteBy law a school has to accommodate theses students even if in the end it is not fair to them. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives them special rights from birth to 18 or 21 years old.
I am assuming that you know when an IEP student comes through your classroom and it really bothers you that your school lets them in knowing that they will most likely fail the tests after the classroom expereince is over. It would bother me too becuase like you said, this child will now be in debt and without a job. But unfortunately, your school would lose funding and could be sued if they do not let this student in and let them try. Hopefully some of the students make it through and get to do what they want to do.
Tonia,
ReplyDeleteYou bring up valid questions about students with IEPs and tech schools.
I have to believe if the student feels strongly about attending then he has a desire to stretch beyond his previous learning practicies. If the student understands upfront that national testing is mandatory to complete his chosen career then I believe the student will want to begin transitioning toward this goal.
One way to accomplish this would be the to have the student and teacher set goals for the student to wean himself away from previous testing accommadations. Another way is to offer more opportunities to test so the student no longer fears test taking.
I believe if the adult student, IEP or not, desires to accomplish something he will find a way to accomplish this on his own and if he is lucky he will have instructors along the way that will help him reach his goal successfully and in an accomadation free manner.
Thanks for posing the questions!
Kattie