Hello Rochelle,
 
I forgot to tell you about what we do here at Daytona Beach College
(DBC).  About six years ago, I petitioned DBC's Planning Council to fund
a trial program to test students that are (1) "good students" that
exhibit characteristics of learning disabilities, (2) but who were never
tested or diagnosed for LDs, (3) who demonstrate a financial need for
test assistance, and (4) who are recommended by instructors that have
first-hand knowledge of their learning problems.  The strategy that I
used was to challenge the College's goal of ensuring student success.  I
argued that if DBC’s open door policy ensured easy access to the college
and its programs and services, then the college was honor-bound to
ensure that it students achieved success in those programs and services.
 I also argued that as an open door institution, DBC as well as other
community colleges would attract a disparately greater numbers of
students with undiagnosed learning disabilities, than other
postsecondary institutions.  Through the Planning Council, the College
put $15,000 non-recurring funds in the budget for Student Disability
Services (SDS) to use to test students on a trial basis.  The first year
was a resounding success and SDS was able to provide several previously
undiagnosed students with reasonable accommodations and or concentrated
academic/career advisement and support.  Due to the success we achieved
in testing students, I petitioned the Planning Council the following
year to increase the funding for LD testing and to fund the program with
recurring funds.  Currently, SDS receives $24,500 in recurring funds to
continue testing students, with or without disabilities

Respectfully yours,

Idris A. Muhammad, Director
Student Disability Services
(386) 506-3076
muhammi at dbcc.edu 

 

 
 


Respectfully yours,

Idris A. Muhammad, Director
Student Disability Services
(386) 506-3076
muhammi at dbcc.edu 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/learningdisabilities/attachments/20080129/9ca00814/attachment.html