I cannot speak from experience in order to competently answer this question. A very vocal part of me would also say "knock on wood" as a follow-up to that previous statement!
But all kidding aside, this is a statement that makes all kind of sense. Part of the challenge, after all, is to help somebody with a disability make sure they can access the instruction/information/teaching that they need to get educated and to advance in the curriculum, if not in life, but by that same token, they still have to earn it like everybody else.
The idea of equal access is, if one thinks about it, a variation on the broader theme/concept of equal opportunity. One thing that stuck in my mind regarding the "accommodations are assigned to facilitate access, no success" mantra is an important rule I have lone held, that equal opportunity does not equate to equal outcome.
Patrick,
"...that equal opportunity does not equate to equal outcome." YES, YES, YES! And there is another piece that precedes it -- "equal treatment does not equate to equal opportunity!" Treating everyone the same does not mean that everyone has the same chance. And giving everyone the same chance doesn't guarnatee that all will have the same result, and that's OK! And THAT is what the laws are all about!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Give them the tools to succeed equally with others, don't enable them. Be a helpmate, don't do it for them.
It is very important for professional educators to be fair and frank with their students. Obviously, we want all of our students to be successful in their academic endeavors, but the reality is that there will inevitably be students who are unsuccessful, despite our best efforts and intentions. If the degree of success is impacted by a legitimate disability, accomodations are necessary. However, there may be variables that cause students with disabilities to be unsuccessful; and sometimes the variables are not related to the disability or the accomodations.
In my experience with students who have disabilities, I have found that in general, these individuals are no different from the rest of the student population in that some are successful; some are not.
In my experience students with disabilities are not granted accomodations to give them any special advantage. Instead they simply provide students with equal opportunity for success.
Paul,
You've gotten to the key at the end -- students with disabilities are more LIKE every other student than they are different.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Patricia,
You can't promise equal success, only an equal opportunity to be successful on their own.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Paul,
Almost! The accommodations provide an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and be successful. It is the chance to try, not the success itself, that is the goal.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
This is a great statement that states that the accommodations are in place to help the student succeed but they do not guarantee success. The student still has to utilize the opportunities are work hard to achieve their goals. I think this is the correct approach.
Zachary,
That's what it's all about. Giving the opportunity to succeed, not guaranteeing that it will happen.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
"Accommodations are assigned to facilitate access, not success." How does this quote compare with your experience in providing accommodations to students with disabilities?
