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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Hi,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Since my colleagues have written, I am
inspired to also share what a HUGE difference we have made in providing
services to students. I work for the Community Colleges of Spokane, ABE
division. We have approximately 450 students a quarter enrolled in the
classes at the sites I serve. Last quarter, I met with 116
students. I use the same process:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>--Screen using the 13 questions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>--Interview <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>--Write a summary of what the student
reported<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>--Make recommendations which include
strategies<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>After the meeting with the student I
usually request their records if they were in special education classes.
When those records come, I go over them with the student. When they have
an understanding of the process of their placement in special education classes,
it helps them. Most students I work with feel they were placed in special
education classes because they were stupid and something was wrong with
them. When we start exploring what a person needs to be able to learn and
how learning takes place, they do MUCH better in the classroom. One of my
most used handouts describes the brain and how long term memory is influenced
by emotions. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The services and strategies that are
recommended are as varied as the students. I may refer them to our
Disabilities Support Service person who has a wonderful background in mental
health counseling. He provides information about stress management and
how to stay in school. He also provides for the numerous other services a
student may need, such as audio tapes, a reader, or chairs. We have an
employment counselor that is also available. We have an assistant who works
with students on the Kursweil or speed reading program. I may tutor in
math or writing. The strategies may be handouts on the brain,
drinking water, food for the brain, stress management, memory strategies or
thinking strategies. Additional tests may be used or other referrals
made. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Another most important part of my job is
to help students apply for accommodations when necessary. I also meet
with students who are not making progress. Because I have an office where
students can come and visit, it is a great benefit to the students and teachers
as well. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I go to a local correction center one day
a week. There the services of a learning disabilities specialist are very
needed. Most of the people who are referred to me have had years of
failure related to education. Once they start to look at the pieces that
are parts of the learning puzzle, they realize that they are capable. I
have seen huge changes in attitude and in performance. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The training we received as part of the
Learning Disabilities Quality Initiative was the key to our success. The
system that we use is a working model so it is getting better all of the
time. We had excellent leadership by Debbie Reck and Candyce
Rennegarbe. I am very grateful to be a part of something that is life
changing. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Jean Gassman <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
learningdisabilities-bounces@nifl.gov
[mailto:learningdisabilities-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Smith, Jimmie<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, April 11, 2007
10:13 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> LearningDisabilities@nifl.gov<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [LearningDisabilities
1050] LD Specialist in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:State></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<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:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Renton</st1:City></st1:place> 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:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Renton</st1:City></st1:place>, 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>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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