[etni] Fw: re: learning disabilities
- From: "Ask Etni" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
- To: "Etni" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:11:33 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: laurie ornstein - laurenmadeline@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: learning disabilities
Hi Everyone,
I've read the articles below, both worth a read!
However, I question "how" we "...take back some of the authority the
"experts" have taken out of our hands."
I know and accept the fact that there are pupils in our classrooms with very
real learning disabilities, "dyslexia". Yet, I think most of us also agree
we've got a long list of pupils who are given dispensations and it's not
quite clear to us teachers "why".
Just last year I had parents ask me for my written assessment of their
daughter in English as they hoped she'd get a reprieve on spelling mistakes.
I told them and wrote that this pupil, in my humble opinion as an English
teacher, had no serious learning disability but needed to sit down and learn
some spelling rules. Period! They were very disappointed with my words. I'm
not sure of the outcome of her assessment as she moved to another group
shortly after this.
But I've got quite a many pupil in my class with very long lists of
dispensations who, frankly, don't need them. Sorry if I'm upsetting some
people, and again, I'm not speaking about those who really are in need of
help. Many of the pupils I refer to, when it comes down to the test, prefer
to do it on their own without "help" except for getting the extra time and
my "ignoring" their spelling.
I question how a pupil who can clearly read a library book on his/her own,
is allowed a recorded exam??!! I question how a pupil who has a few spelling
mistakes is given the "right" to write wrong rather than spend a few minutes
daily learning how to spell properly.
No, I am not an LD examiner but my 35+ years in the classroom has given me
experience.
When I confronted our school guidance counselor about this issue, I was told
that there's nothing I can do if the pupil was examined and brought the
results to the school. There was no point fighting it and frankly, I haven't
the energy to do so.
I think many of these "dyslexic" pupils are being deprived of real learning
and are hiding behind a mask. The real world, as I point out to them, won't
forgive their poor spelling or read aloud to them if they wave their little
piece of paper with their dispensations. I ask them to do the best they can
despite the piece of paper! During exams, I do as I'm instructed.
Again, I'm not doubting the need some pupils do have for help. Yes, I am
very aware of learning disorders but the numbers of these pupils have gone
sky high. Time for reassessment.
Laurie
Yona wrote:
> I think that teachers in the classroom, who meet pupils with learning
> problems, should begin to take back some of the authority that "experts"
> have taken out of their hands.
> www.spiked-online.com/Printable/0000000CA647.htm
> www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/6125/
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