Learning Disabilities

NCAA and SLD

It was interesting to see the 1998 consent decree posted above. The biggest issue it seemed to address is that the NCAA was not giving credit to some LD kids for some courses listed as remedial or special education courses. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, I believe, so this was eight years later.

In high schools, kids with documented learning disabilities are eligible to varying degrees for learning plans, accommodations, etc., to help them succeed academically. And of course, there will be kids who will not be able to meet minimum academic standards even with this help.

In college, by the time a student is aged 18, they fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are also entitled to specifically recommended academic assitance depending on what their documented disability may be. This assistance may take the form, for example, of extended time on tests or assignments, assistance with note taking, etc. This protection is actually broader than that offered in high school, or at least as far as the laws in my state go. In NJ, a high school student is only eligible for learning plans, accommodations, etc., if their LD precludes them from performing at an average level. Under the ADA, however, the student is eligilbe for assistance if they have a documented LD and there is a recommended remedy, and this is without regard to their level of performance. In other words, in college you could have a very bright student whose LD limits them to average performance who is eligible for assistance, but would not be in high school. I guess in that instance, though, meeting minimum academic standards is not really the issue.

I don't really know any stats for how LD students do in college once admitted and participating in sports.

I can speak from experience---my last son to play college ball was officially an LD student and took the SAT untimed---he entered college off a 2.2 GPA in HS---went to a school that had special assistance for students like him--played 4 years of baseball and gradutes with his degree in Hotel Management and Tourism and a 2.7 GPA

Check the colleges your son has interest in--many if not most have programs for the LD student---each handle the situation differently

Good info guys, thanks for the input...

Both of my boys have documented learning differences. My eldest didn't learn of his LD until he was in his third year of college. With help he went from a 2.0 student to a 3.5 student.

My youngest is Dyslexic; which is much harder to help. He selected a school that "said" that they could help, they really coudn't.

Under the law most colleges have to make arrangements for certain accomdations. Most of which are "passive" (extra time, note takers, etc.) in nature and may or may not be helpful for all students. These accomodations are required under ADA for any college which has government student loans (generally all schools).

Some schools are much more proactive in helping students with documented learning differnces. An example would be the University of Arizona which has an entire center (4 story building) with counslers, tutors and support personnel whose entire mission is to work with students with documented learning differences.

As a parent you hate to see students become discouraged becuase they can't do the work because the education process does not understand and work with kids with learning differnces. We are going through it with our youngest son now; because of his Dyslexia he does not always see words or write words as the rest of the world does. For english language work he uses his computer, with spell check, for his writing and gets his books on tape. The generally works. Yet he was required to take a foreign language which required spelling of vocabulary, written work and the like. He can speak it, he can explain it, but the written work is substandard.

Accomodations are generally made to help students overcome learning differences; not to short cut or alter the mission of educating students.

My son has a good friend who is also dyslexic and they have battled the high school over the foreign language requirement, as the curriculum in that area is often at odds with his individual learning plan. They have tried to get the school to accept a program in American Sign Language as an alternative, but without luck. I know that many colleges now accept this as an alternative, but don't know how widespread it is in high schools.

quote:

Originally posted by casey75:
My son has a good friend who is also dyslexic and they have battled the high school over the foreign language requirement, as the curriculum in that area is often at odds with his individual learning plan. They have tried to get the school to accept a program in American Sign Language as an alternative, but without luck. I know that many colleges now accept this as an alternative, but don't know how widespread it is in high schools.

There are federal guidelines regarding IEP's and 504's and they supercede the schools requirements. Additionally, the FEDs will cover the costs should a parent have to resort to legal action.

I have yet to see a school in my district fail to abide by an IEP. Tell your friends to become stronger advocates for their students and not back down in face of any resistance from the school.

How does the recruiting process work for kids that have a LD? Do you mention it upfront? Would you include it as a note when sending grades? Does it have to be documented by the school? My son had a horrible freshman year gpa wise and was diagnosed with a learning issue. Although diagnosed by his MD and a hearing specialist the school would not recognize it. With treatment, his gpa is recovering but it has taken time. Taking a language for 2 years was very difficult.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:
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I have yet to see a school in my district fail to abide by an IEP. Tell your friends to become stronger advocates for their students and not back down in face of any resistance from the school.

You can also hire an advocate to intercede with the school district. Some child psychologists work as advocates also. Like anything else, it is sometimes better to have a professional represent you when dealing with an organization or institution.

quote:

Originally posted by casey75:
My son has a good friend who is also dyslexic and they have battled the high school over the foreign language requirement, as the curriculum in that area is often at odds with his individual learning plan. They have tried to get the school to accept a program in American Sign Language as an alternative, but without luck. I know that many colleges now accept this as an alternative, but don't know how widespread it is in high schools.

If your friends son just has dyslexia that does not neccesarily mean he has a learning disability. I know that sounds strange but I teach special ed. in high school and adjunct in college. There is a very specific way you qualify for an LD.

socal:
I'm pretty sure dyslexia is indeed classified as a learning disability. So if a kid has it, he has a learning disability.

When you say 'qualify for an LD' do you actually mean "qualify for an IEP?"

quote:

If your friends son just has dyslexia that does not neccesarily mean he has a learning disability. I know that sounds strange but I teach special ed. in high school and adjunct in college. There is a very specific way you qualify for an LD.

Yes, I didn't mention that he has other learning issues and has an IEP in place. Thanks.

philsfan - you have a PM

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
socal:
I'm pretty sure dyslexia is indeed classified as a learning disability. So if a kid has it, he has a learning disability.

Any student with dyslexia does indeed have a disability, however, whether or not he is entitled to an IEP or a 504 plan depends on how severe it affects him.


If the dyslexia severely impairs him it would result in him having an IEP, however, if it moderately affects him he may only receive consideration for a 504 plan. Some dyslexic students qualify for neither.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
socal:
I'm pretty sure dyslexia is indeed classified as a learning disability. So if a kid has it, he has a learning disability.

Any student with dyslexia does indeed have a disability, however, whether or not he is entitled to an IEP or a 504 plan depends on how severe it affects him.


If the dyslexia severely impairs him it would result in him having an IEP, however, if it moderately affects him he may only receive consideration for a 504 plan. Some dyslexic students qualify for neither.

Not true at all. If a parent feels their child has any type of problems and signs the paper work to test them these are the steps. School psych gives him a battery of test which includes and IQ. A teacher will give him a battery of academic tests. In order to have a processing problem the student must score a minimum of 25 points under their IQ on one of those test which then qualifies them to have a Specific Learning Disability. So if a student has dyslexia but does not have a 25 point discrepancy they then would not have a SLD. I am not stating that the kid does not have problems I am stating they do not meet the criteria.

quote:

Yes, I didn't mention that he has other learning issues and has an IEP in place. Thanks.

Now if he already has an IEP in place the parent has a right, through the IEP, to have their foreign language changed.

quote:

Originally posted by socalhscoach:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
socal:
I'm pretty sure dyslexia is indeed classified as a learning disability. So if a kid has it, he has a learning disability.

Any student with dyslexia does indeed have a disability, however, whether or not he is entitled to an IEP or a 504 plan depends on how severe it affects him.


If the dyslexia severely impairs him it would result in him having an IEP, however, if it moderately affects him he may only receive consideration for a 504 plan. Some dyslexic students qualify for neither.

Not true at all. If a parent feels their child has any type of problems and signs the paper work to test them these are the steps. School psych gives him a battery of test which includes and IQ. A teacher will give him a battery of academic tests. In order to have a processing problem the student must score a minimum of 25 points under their IQ on one of those test which then qualifies them to have a Specific Learning Disability. So if a student has dyslexia but does not have a 25 point discrepancy they then would not have a SLD. I am not stating that the kid does not have problems I am stating they do not meet the criteria.

How does this disagree with what I wrote? I wrote that dyslexia was indeed a learning disability BUT it would depend on the severity of the effect on the student as to whether or not it would be recongizes as such to the degree that it would qualiry the student of an IEP or 504 plan. That is true in every state.

You wrote nearly the same thing with a slightly different vocabulary. We are agreeing that the level of disability needs to be determined before a student is officially recognized as having an SLD. While you may disagree with my terminology, I lifted it from a federal brochure.

I have been intimately involved in the process from both the educational and the parental side of this issue. I have several students with IEPs who I act as the general ed teaching in IEP meetings and signing off on the IEP. Additionally, my daugheter, the ND grad is dyslexic...not severely enough to be legally recognized as an SLD, but a learning disability never the less with whom I worked extensively.

What it boils down to is the only difference between our posts is that I recognize that dyslexia and many other "conditions" can be learning disabilities for individuals even when they do not rise to the level of SLD.

Peace.

My apologies and I do agree that Dyslexia is a learning disability. My only issue is to many times over the years I have heard parent's throwing a fit about the fact there student should receive services simply because they have dyslexia that was not a SLD, as opposed to pushing their child and working with the as it appears you and your wife have. You should be very proud of the job you guys did and again I apologize.

Hello to all, I have read many intersting discussions on this web site but this is the first time I am actually going to ask for some advise. I have a gift LD studnet. He has had an IEP since he was in first grade. He has a superior IQ and his decrepence make him fall into the average range. This is tricky because he compensates well through auditory processing. Having said that he is also an excptional pitcher and would like to go to college. He has not taken any forigen language classes to date and going into his JR year they are discussing dropping him from services. He has PEAKED out on thier reading interventions. He continues to struggle with reading in all of his classes(basicly the amount and the time given to read it all). If we decide to go the Community college route instead of the NCAA does he have to take a foreign language eventually? Or do I try to get him registered under NCAA with exception to LD. I am confussed as to what to do for him accademiclly for the next 2 years to give him the best shot at a scholarship offer. His grade point average is low. He consistanly get c/d's in classes that require large amounts of reading LA/ History. But does well in areas of low reading Geometry and Biology. Do I fight to get him into the NCAA Approved classes or let him get his grade point average up with electives he does well in, then try for Community college scholarship then 4 year college. Welcoming any input. Concerned mom

My2cents

The first thing I would suggest you do is sit down with your HS Principal, AD and Guidance Counselor and formulate a unified plan of attack--it is not too late

I agree with Tr;
In my experience (and that does not mean this is true in your area) the jr colleges are more willing and more accomodating than the 4 year schools when it comes to LD students.

You would do well to call a couple of community colleges and just ask them questions that concern (like the foreign language issue)... best wishes and welcome to the web

Thanks for the reply, I am planning to do that I just wanted a game plan before the meeting. Do you know if Community college would give him a clean slate so to speak to transfer then to a DI school, or are they still going to need HS transcripts to qualify NACC?

Good stuff guy's, alot of good information!

Thanks for the information I kicked my wife off. She is a special Ed teacher (home sick) I made fun of her due to her bad spelling NACC? LOL Our older son is signing a letter of intent to Parkland on the 17th So we will ask him about the little guy 6'3 240#s we are bringing him to Parklands pitchig clinic.