Asking students about prior IEP's
At my company instructors are prohibited from asking students if they have had problems in the past or IEP's. We often get more information from past instuctors. Is this really law (as we are told) or is this just a missunderstanding of a law and company policy?
I start every class by asking if there is anyone who has any special needs to see me after class.
I think this is a valuable way of "opening the door" to those who might otherwise fear burdoning their new instructor with legitimate needs.
By law we cannot ask for an IEP or if they have any learning disabilities. Its all about a right to privacy act (or so I have heard)
Yes I also ask every class if anyone has any special requests to see me after class. We always finish the 4 hours class about 20 minutes early so that anyone who needs extra help can get it and we have formed a little club now and everyone helps each other and it has been pretty amazing to see this happen.Aisling
It is law and company policy at my placeof employment, but I put out a general statement inviting anyone who may have a learning disability to please see me confidentially. I also put the company policy regarding disabilities on my syllabus.
IEPs as well as IDEA and 504s do not follow a student from HS through college. Where highschools are required to identify students with disabilities and accommodate them, colleges are only required to have the services available.
Most students, having learned to be great self advocates will feel very comfortable making an institution aware of his or her disability and ask for an accommodation.
Michael, The situation you describe underlines the vital importance of self-advocacy. Unfortunately, popular culture is rife with evidence of the continuing reality of discrimination and stigma associated with any type of labelled disability. Violating confidentiality should be a serious concern for all of us.
As teachers, we need to be careful about where and when we meet with students to discuss their special needs. Students may not want others, especially their classmates, to know about their situation. Familiarity with the laws about confidentiality is an important responsibility.
Hi Sandra!
I couldn't agree more that discussing or labelling any type of disability is of major concern for many reasons.
I do my best to not breach any confidentiality, offering assistance to anyone in my class who needs it. Once a student talks with me about any topic, I am very careful not to break that confidence.
I reviewed the post related to the topic and found that each of you in the discussion had some very good comments.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
From what I understand, asking a specific student if the have a learning disability, or in any way opening the door has something to do with diagnosing a problem, which can lead to problems. On the other hand, inviting any student who has a learning disability to speak with you about it privately, is not,it is just giving individuals the right to let you know if they need help, without you telling them you think they have a problem, which is what we do at the institution I work for.
At my institution the instructors are supplied with a list of the students per term who have any problems that may need special attention this covers learning disabilities as well as emotional or mental conditions such as ADD.
Knowing if you have a student with special needs in the beginning allows you to be pro-active.
