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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Hi,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I’m Jimmie and I am the Learning Disabilities
Specialist at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Renton</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Technical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
Since Candyce and Judy have both mentioned <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Renton</st1:place></st1:City> and the UDL project, I thought it was
time to speak up. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the team at
Renton Tech. As the LD Specialist, I screen students who are referred to
me using the 13 questions; I then do an interview which includes pretty much a
life history. If based on this information, it appears likely that there is
a learning disability; I administer the Woodcock Johnson Test of Achievement III
and the WAIS III for cognitive ability. Once this is done, I write up a
full report of the findings based on the complete assessment. We have a
psychologist that I work with and when my report is complete, I send it to him
to review and to sign. This process works great. When the report is
signed, I go over it with the student and give the student a copy. With
the student’s permission, our UDL Project Manager works with the instructor,
along with me to implement the strategies and accommodations that have been
recommended. If testing is not done, but only the screening and interview
are done, strategies are still recommended to the student and the
instructor. Because of the UDL grant we are able to provide these
services to our students free of charge. We are also able to help all
students by implementing strategies in classrooms that are beneficial to
everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I do not work with just Basic Studies students, but with all
students at our school. There are many students in programs who have been
struggling through school most of their lives and have never understood
why. With the process we have in place at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Renton</st1:place></st1:City>, we are able to identify and help
these students. Sometimes the strategies are very simple, but make a huge
difference in the success of the student. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>My job also includes requesting accommodations for GED
students who qualify. Many times these students do not have the required documentation
for receiving accommodations. If the need is because of learning difficulties,
I am able to use the process above to document the need for accommodations and
then request the approval from the state. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I love my job because I love seeing students succeed!!
My school, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Renton</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Technical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
has fully embraced the need to offer services that will benefit all
students. That is what the Universal Design for Learning grant is all
about! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><b><i><font size=5 color=purple face="Lucida Handwriting"><span
style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Handwriting";color:purple;
font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Jimmie Smith, M.Ed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><b><i><font size=4 color=purple face="Lucida Handwriting"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Handwriting";color:purple;
font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><b><font size=4 face="Lucida Console"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";font-weight:bold'>Counselor/LD
Specialist<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><b><font
size=4 face="Lucida Console"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";
font-weight:bold'>Student</span></font></b></st1:PlaceName><b><font size=4
face="Lucida Console"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";
font-weight:bold'> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Success</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></span></font></b></st1:place><b><font size=4
face="Lucida Console"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";
font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><b><font
size=4 face="Lucida Console"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";
font-weight:bold'>Renton</span></font></b></st1:PlaceName><b><font size=4
face="Lucida Console"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";
font-weight:bold'> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Technical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></span></font></b></st1:place><b><font
size=4 face="Lucida Console"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";
font-weight:bold'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><b><font size=4 face="Lucida Console"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Console";font-weight:bold'>425-235-2352
ext.5717<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
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12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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