Bashing Students with Disabilities for SAT Accomodations

The New York Times ran an op-ed [Download NY Times oped.doc] piece critical of  the SAT test accomodations for students with disabilities.  This op-ed piece just glosses over the real reasons students get test accommodations—they need them because of a bona fide disability.  It reads as if students who request accommodations are looking for a leg up when they do not deserve it. Some time ago another mother told my wife how lucky she was to park close in a handicapped spot in the parking lot. People do not see what is in front of them--accommodations based upon real and long standing need.  In the case of SATs would more time make a difference for the student who is not prepared or even for the prepared non-disabled student ?  It only makes a difference for the student with a disability who truly needs and benefits from testing accommodations.

Thank you to Liz Ditz for sending this story to my attention.

Comments

[Daunna Minnich]

If some people begrudge an accommodation of extended time to students with certified disabilities, then maybe we should look for another way to level the playing field. Hmmm. Let's see...  How about we get rid of extra time for disabled students and instead impose handicaps such as blurring the text or pumping in background static noise on nondisabled test-takers so they, too, could enjoy slowed down processing time?

[Sherry Hollis]

I wonder what these people would think of schools who just about force children to have 'accomodations' for the mandated states testing?
A lot of children who have IEP's (and a lot of them who don't) get just about run over with accomodations because the school wants these kids to pass and make the school look 'good'. But, these same kids who have IEP's, they can't get these same accomodations on regular tests.

[Sharon Rubin]

Thanks for having this blog. I learned so much. I did not know that legislation is constantly being decided. I naively thought the ADA just covered all. The writing was very user friendly. I especially enjoyed the article by Lori Fox. I agree that you should trust yourself vs. what others are trying to convince you of. I also, enjoyed the tips of the month.