On Thu, 11 Jan 2001, Harry Avis wrote:
> snip.... my regular students who do poorly would do poorly if I gave
> them 15 hours to complete the exam and provided them with a reader in a
> soundproof room and wafted fragrant herbs and incense through the
> vents. Those who do well almost never need the whole class period to do
> the exam. The special needs students may feel less pressured or more
> secure with the extra help, but I doubt that there is a direct causal
> relationship between the help and the grade.
This brings up another ethical issue. I often suspect that MANY students
who are not labelled as "special needs" have MORE special needs but don't
even have the wherewithall to realize that there is something they can
do--get tested and be allowed special considerations to match their
special needs.
Alternatively, for *some* special needs students--I emphasize "some"--
their only special need is a need for more intelligence :-(
And I boldly say this as a parent of a "special needs" child--whose needs
are currently minimal, but I am taking EVERY advantage I can possibly
get for him, because I understand how to work the system.
annette
Annette Taylor, Ph. D.
Department of Psychology E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
University of San Diego Voice: (619) 260-4006
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
"Education is one of the few things a person
is willing to pay for and not get."
-- W. L. Bryan
