Return-Path: <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id iAT0agF03707; Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:36:42 -0500 (EST) Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:36:42 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <006201c4d5aa$d5b51eb0$6500a8c0@computer> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Meryl Eisenberg" <meryl0709@bellsouth.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-LD:4538] Re: Introduction and Question about LD Assessment for GED X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 7000 Lines: 134 Hi Michele, I hear your frustration. Not only is the GEDTS requiring documentation within the past 5 years, but so are the 2 and 4 year colleges in order for students to be eligible for Disability Services and invariably accommodations. As a member of Broward County's Intergency Council here in Ft. Lauderdale, FL we discussed these concerns and worked through the public school's ESE Department by way of the Transition Coordinator and several ESE curriculum specialists who are also members of our committee to suggest that High School ESE Specialists administer the KBIT to ESE students prior to graduation in their senior year, thereby providing them with a updated psychological since there was already a full Psy administered previously. This was acceptable for the colleges and obviously helpful to those coming into adult ed programs. (Suggestion #1-Work with your district's Interagency Council to bring about change) In addition, based on information provided to us by Neil Sturomski, a consultant with GEDTS at last year's Florida's Disabilities Symposium, it is possible to have a*Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (*KBIT) administered and submitted with the L-15, if the educational assessment is older than 5 years and an updated IQ assessment is needed. The assessment is not timed, however it takes approximately 30 minutes on the average to administer. I administer the KBIT in my district for adult students upon request. Therefore, if you can identify someone to administer the KBIT, and attach that score to the L-15 in the section for Add'l Information, and include the Old Psy scores along with the more recent KBIT scores, that should be acceptable. Mr. Sturomski also suggested that the GED candidate ask his/her certifying professional to write a letter updating his/her information (current abilities and difficulties) and submit with the L-15 for consideration of accommodations and still include the old psy scores. What GEDTS is saying is that although learning disabilities are lifelong, the need for accommodations changes as a person adapts to their disability and what they may have needed 5 or 10 years ago may not be needed now. (Suggestion # 2: Administer KBIT or get letter updating needs) It is more difficult for those who have never been identified, however. In these cases, I have referred them to The Neuropsychology Center which is part of Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL. Here doctoral students are doing their practicuum and administering a complete test battery of tests both educational and social/emotional. Fees are on a sliding scale starting at $250- Those needing financial consideration are asked to complete a financial assistance form. Students are working under the direction of the Clinic's Director who interprets the tests and writesa report with his findings. So, you may want to explore Universities who have Doctoral Programs in Psychology. (Suggestion # 3: Contact a University with a Doctoral Program in Psychology in your area who has a clinic to ask if they can do some probono testing-) Finally, for those individuals who are unemployed or underemployed or want a change of employment and either have a disability or suspect they ha disability I refer them to Vocational Rehabilitation. VR will do a complete educational psychological battery of tests as well as vocational evaluation. Many VR clients are referred to one of our technical centers or adult programs and we request their reports so that we have evidence of documentation of disability and can provide them accommodations in the classroom as well as on the GED test should that be their goal. (Suggestion #4:Refer to Vocational Rehabilitation) When all else fails, it has been suggested that Kiwanis Club or Lion's Club may be helpful in paying for psychological. I have not personally gone this route- Hope you find some of these suggestions helpful. Meryl Eisenberg, Specialist Adults with Disabilities Career, Technical and Adult/Community Education Broward County Public Schools Office: (754) 321-2668 Fax: (754) 321-2671 www.ctace.com "Committed to quality programs that ensure success for students of all ages" ----- Original Message ----- From: <shellcraig@ix.netcom.com> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 6:19 PM Subject: [NIFL-LD:4529] Introduction and Question about LD Assessment for GED > Hello to All, > > I have been on the NIFL-BASICS list for some time, but a recent cross post > that you all responded to about teaching long division (thank you) and > Rochelle's invitation has persuaded me to add another list! I teach ABE > and GED (in the same classroom) at the Woodland Adult School in Woodland, > California. I have been working there for about 7 years now and previously > taught college level composition courses at UC Berkeley and at the local > community college. I recently attended the Area 3 Writing Project and > developed a presentation on teaching writing to adults with learning > disabilities. The more I work at this (and because I now have a son with > ld) the more I realize how many of my adult students have learning > disabilities and how few resources they have to cope with them. > > My latest hobby-horse is trying to get money to provide services to my ld > students who want to take the GED with accomodations. The GED has a rule > that the assessment has to be current within the last five years. Our > school district does not provide assessments for the adult school, so I > contacted the CA State Department of Education about who would provide > assessments for adults. They sent me to our local community college. They > said they can't provide assessments unless they are enrolled in the > college (because of the cost). Then I emailed Sac State to see if they had > graduate students in Special Ed who might do the assessments (no reply). > Then I emailed the Bill Gates Foundation who replied, "Sorry, we are > reserving our grants for "at risk" students who are unlikely to graduate > from high school..." So I am still running in circles. > > Mostly these are students who qualified for special education services as > children, but their assessments are not current according to GED rules. > But learning disabilities don't go away, do they? These students tend to > be intelligent and can pass the GED with extra time. One of these students > has severe dysgraphia and dyslexia and can pass the essay exam with a > Franklin Speller and extra time, but will not pass otherwise. I also have > 3 students who are relearning (and in some cases I suspect learning for > the first time) skills and two with severe mental illness. They have > neurologists and psychologists, so they will probably receive > accomodations for medical reasons. > > How do the rest of you deal with the issue of assessment and > accommodations in your schools? > > Michele Craig > > > >
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