Suggestions for faculty

Helpful Information for Faculty Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities

Strategies for Accommodating Students with Learning Disabilities.

Students with learning disabilities have average to above average intelligence, but there is a significant difference between their intelligence and their academic performance. The best thing to remember when working with students who have learning disabilities is that they are people first and struggle with specific skills second. They are not "slow" or "irresponsible. " They can bring unique strengths and skills to your classroom.

General Strategies

This is a list of general strategies other faculty members have found useful in working with students with learning disabilities.

Select textbooks with study guides if possible.
Provide a detailed course syllabus. Make the structure of the course, the assignments, and your expectations clear.
Make the syllabus available before the start of class.
Adhere to the schedule in the course syllabus.

Lecture Strategies

Use a variety of instructional techniques. Some students need visual instructions while others learn best by listening.
Start each lecture with an outline of material to be covered that period. Briefly summarize key points at the conclusion of class.
Present new or technical vocabulary on the blackboard or a handout.
Read aloud material that is written on the chalkboard.
Discretely assist students who have difficulty taking notes:
- Help find a volunteer notetaker.
- Allow students to tape-record the lecture.
- Provide an outline to help students keep up with the lecture.

Homework/Assignment Strategies

Give assignments both orally and written to avoid confusion.
Announce reading assignments well in advance for students who are using taped materials. Students who use books on tape will need several weeks to order and receive taped materials.
Remind students of upcoming deadlines throughout the semester.
Remember students with learning disabilities need more feedback from their professors.

Testing Strategies

Provide study questions that demonstrate the format for your tests. For written exams, discuss what makes a good response and why.
Group similar questions together on exams.
Extend a student's testing time.
Allow students to test in the quiet, distraction-free environment provided by the SSLD Office.
Allow students with perceptual problems to write on the test instead of on scantron answer sheets.

Taking Tests in the SSLD Office

The SSLD Office provides a quiet, distraction-free testing environment. Testing in our office also allows students to have extended time for exams. The following are guidelines to help you understand the SSLD Office testing procedure.

Scheduled exams are to be taken in our office at the same time as the class exam unless there is a conflict with the student's schedule. When a schedule conflict occurs, an arrangement will be worked out between the student and the professor in advance.

The Responsibilities of the Students:

It is the responsibility of each student to notify you if they typically take exams in the SSLD Office.
The student will schedule all exams with our secretary or testing center supervisor. We ask that students give us TWO days' notice so we can notify you that we need a copy of the exam.

The Responsibilities of the SSLD Office:

Once a test has been scheduled by the student, the SSLD program assistant will call the professor to notify him/her that we need a copy of the exam. Exams can be delivered via the professor, emailed to the program assistant Mayda Ragsdale or to the Testing Center supervisor Stacie Collins , or faxed to the program assistant at 809-4339.
The exam is sealed and locked in a filing cabinet until the time of the test.
We do not copy any exams without the instructor's permission.
A student worker will return the completed exam to the professor or designated person as soon as possible.
Some students need a reader during their exam. All readers are staff members or graduate students. Undergraduate student workers are not allowed to read exams to our students nor do they work in the testing center.
If you have more than one student taking the same exam, they will not be allowed to sit near each other.

The Responsibilities of the Professor:

If you give pop quizzes, please notify us so we can make some type of arrangements.
We assume that all tests are closed book, closed note exams. If you allow open book, open note exams, please let us know.

Final Exams

During finals week we proctor approximately 600 exams. We try to schedule these exams weeks in advance to make sure everything runs smoothly during that hectic time. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and assistance during this time.

The SSLD Office Policy on Cheating

We have a zero tolerance policy on cheating. If we suspect a student of cheating, we will gather up all notes and testing materials and return everything to you to take the appropriate action.

Site Directory