Over 20 Percent of Incoming College Freshmen Claim to Be Disabled

[Dashinka 23,423]

At top colleges around the country, over 20 percent of incoming freshmen claim to be disabled.

22 percent at Pomona College in California. 18 percent at Pitzer College in California, Vassar College in New York, Reed College in Oregon, and Mount Holyoke in Massachusetts. 14 percent at Stanford Universty. These are the percentage of students who considered themselves disabled at top universities around the country. That means that almost one in five students in every classroom is classified as disabled by school officials.

 

 

Jan Collins-Eaglin, the Claremont consortium’s associate dean of students for personal success and wellness, says that anxiety and stress are likely behind the increase in the number of “disabled” students. “At Pomona, we have extremely talented bright students with very high expectations who are coming in with a good level of anxiety and are highly stressed,” she said in a comment to the Wall Street Journal. “Our job here is to help them really thrive.”

 

Despite the increase in the number of students that identify as “disabled,” top school officials say that the rigor of the curriculum hasn’t changed. Jodi Foley, the director of accessibility services at Amherst College, says that Amherst has only continued to strengthen its academic program as more and more students report mental health and anxiety issues. “The academic profile of Amherst’s student population continues to increase as it continues to diversify.”

 

https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/07/30/over-20-percent-of-incoming-college-freshmen-claim-to-be-disabled/

[smilesammich 10,727]

what are the parameters for filing as disabled? my son is not physically disabled, but has had an iep that classifies him as such to receive the assistance he needs for his add. maybe that's why the high number? lots of kids with add. the article from breitbart doesn't go into any sort of meaningful detail (surprise surprise).

[Dashinka 23,423]

Here is the more detailed article.  For the record, I am fine with allowing those with diagnosed disabilities extra time for test, but it should be disclosed and weighted toward their grades.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/colleges-bend-the-rules-for-more-students-give-them-extra-help-1527154200?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=4

[smilesammich 10,727]

1 minute ago, Bill & Katya said:

Here is the more detailed article.  For the record, I am fine with allowing those with diagnosed disabilities extra time for test, but it should be disclosed and weighted toward their grades.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/colleges-bend-the-rules-for-more-students-give-them-extra-help-1527154200?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=4

can't read it.

 

what do you mean disclosed and weighted toward their grades?

[Dashinka 23,423]

4 minutes ago, smilesammich said:

can't read it.

 

what do you mean disclosed and weighted toward their grades?

Take for instance the SAT or ACT.  If some students are allowed extra time to complete these tests, then can they truly be called standardized?  Maybe a student that doesn't request extra time gets extra credit, or is moved to a higher point on the grade curve.  The point is that students that do not need accommodations should not be penalized.  

[smilesammich 10,727]

1 minute ago, Bill & Katya said:

Take for instance the SAT or ACT.  If some students are allowed extra time to complete these tests, then can they truly be called standardized?  Maybe a student that doesn't request extra time gets extra credit, or is moved to a higher point on the grade curve.  The point is that students that do not need accommodations should not be penalized.  

no one should be penalized. how are students being penalized.

 

there's a process for accommodations approval for SAT or ACT test taking, doesn't appear to be new or have intentions to punish anyone. https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities

[Dashinka 23,423]

4 minutes ago, smilesammich said:

no one should be penalized. how are students being penalized.

 

there's a process for accommodations approval for SAT or ACT test taking, doesn't appear to be new or have intentions to punish anyone. https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities

Like I said, I am fine with giving folks who need it extra time, just disclose it and adjust the grades accordingly.

[smilesammich 10,727]

5 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

Like I said, I am fine with giving folks who need it extra time, just disclose it and adjust the grades accordingly.

so, you want to penalize the kids with the disability for utilizing the accommodations made to level the playing field for them.

[Dashinka 23,423]

11 minutes ago, smilesammich said:

so, you want to penalize the kids with the disability for utilizing the accommodations made to level the playing field for them.

Is it a penalty, or are they getting extra help?  Is there a standard for the help they should get (i.e. I have ADD and I get an extra 30 minutes to do an exam, but I feel I need 60 minutes, was that fair)?  The point of the thread is why the sudden jump in the amount of disabled university students all of the sudden.  If you could read the WSJ article it goes into a bit more depth, but we can certainly speculate.  Are parents and students now taking advantage of a potential assist for them to get ahead?  I am an optimistic person, but seeing what many parents will do to get their kids on top amazes even me. 

[smilesammich 10,727]

Just now, Bill & Katya said:

Is it a penalty, or are they getting extra help?  Is there a standard for the help they should get (i.e. I have ADD and I get an extra 30 minutes to do an exam, but I feel I need 60 minutes, was that fair)?  The point of the thread is why the sudden jump in the amount of disabled university students all of the sudden.  If you could read the WSJ article it goes into a bit more depth, but we can certainly speculate.  Are parents and students now taking advantage of a potential assist for them to get ahead?  I am an optimistic person, but seeing what many parents will do to get their kids on top amazes even me. 

how can they take advantage if there is board approval to receive accommodations?

i don't know the numbers, but there are way more cases of add and anxiety related disorders than in the past, that would explain the spike.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

As long as ADHD continues to be over-diagnosed, or parents push for their kids to take medicine to “make them better at studying, or kids continue to spend more time indoors playing games than outdoors socializing with other humans, ADHD will abound.  As will steps needed to overcome the issue (such as the OP talks about).

I’m with Bill... label a kid with ADD/ADHD, but say it’s very minor, yet they get more time to take a test; the potential for abuse is there.

[smilesammich 10,727]

an add diagnosis does not automatically mean the person is on medicine. an add/adhd diagnosis has nothing to do with lack of playing outside or socializing.

but i guess that's why there's a process and specialized individuals to oversee the process of determining accommodations.

Edited August 1, 2018 by smilesammich

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  One of my ex man friends doctored shopped to get his boys an adhd diagnosis so they would get put on meds to make them more complaint teens.  Rather disgusting.

[smilesammich 10,727]

3 minutes ago, NigeriaorBust said:

  One of my ex man friends doctored shopped to get his boys an adhd diagnosis so they would get put on meds to make them more complaint teens.  Rather disgusting.

i'm sure that will more than likely come back to haunt him. something like, the kids not taking their medicine and selling them or developing dependency issues on other stimulants as they will become accustomed to the high their dad is so kindly providing them. bad moves.. 

[Sonea 138]

Crazy Idea....maybe just get rid of time limits for ACT and SAT all together. Thats a truly level playing field.