Wall Street Journal on rampant growth in percentage of college students with “disabilities”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some really horrible people on this thread. God, I hope there are some sock puppets, cause it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people with disabilities.

And women. And people of color. And non-Americans. And LGBTQ individuals. And Muslims. And Asian students— there is a lot of hatred in this country right now. A lot of people blaming others for their own shortcomings. People with disabilities are just the latest in a long line of people being blamed because white men have to compete, rather than just being handed things for being white men. The amount of whining and victimhood has just exploded in the last year or so.

When your kid puts in the amount of time and effort that my 2e TJ kid puts in and does not get into similarly impressive colleges, I will believe you have a point. Until then, throw out the XBox, delete social media, and tell you kid they will have to regularly study 10-15 hours over the weekend and until after midnight during the week, in part because they don’t get home from extracurriculars until 8:30. Because that is how my kid will get into a top college. Not because of extra 1/2 hour on the math section of the SAT.

And if this is not the high school experience you want for your kid, fine. That’s fair. But don’t expect them to get into a top college ahead of kids who are putting in the sweat equity.

I hope that you realize that top colleges don't pick students on the basis of SATs and GPAs and standard ECs alone. They quite possibly will be picking top swimmers, residents of North Dakota and legacies first, even though they might sometimes have lower scores than your kid. Many TJ kids with high scores who have put in their sweat equity aren't heading for the ivies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you may find this hard to believe but it's not as easy as you think to get accommodations on the ACT and SAT. I'm the PP whose daughter has abnormal eye tracking and low processing. She is in a special program at her high school that provides her with the support she needs to do well in college prep courses.

The program director told us to be prepared to be turned down for ACT/SAT accommodations despite her IEP and other documentation. She said the bar is very high, most get turned down - however, she will then file an appeal and provide additional documentation and we cross our fingers that is is accepted by ACT/SAT.

She felt our daughter has a good chance of getting accommodations on an appeal, but not to count on it for they routinely turn down kids that she feels really should get it. So, rest assured, they are not handing out extra hours like candy to anyone who asks or provides them with a minimum of documentation of a vague problem.

This is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are some really horrible people on this thread. God, I hope there are some sock puppets, cause it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people with disabilities.

Yes, there are horrible people in this thred bragging about their children cheating the system instead of accepting their snowflakes are a disappointment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some really horrible people on this thread. God, I hope there are some sock puppets, cause it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people with disabilities.

Yes, there are horrible people in this thred bragging about their children cheating the system instead of accepting their snowflakes are a disappointment

Pftt, you're a bumpkin that thinks everything of value summed up by a test. It takes a lot more than a score for anyone to get ahead. If you can't come to terms with that, you've got bigger problems than disabled people getting a fair shake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are some really horrible people on this thread. God, I hope there are some sock puppets, cause it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people with disabilities.

"...it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people who game the system to get advantages for their children at the expense of others."

Fixed it for ya!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some really horrible people on this thread. God, I hope there are some sock puppets, cause it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people with disabilities.

And women. And people of color. And non-Americans. And LGBTQ individuals. And Muslims. And Asian students— there is a lot of hatred in this country right now. A lot of people blaming others for their own shortcomings. People with disabilities are just the latest in a long line of people being blamed because white men have to compete, rather than just being handed things for being white men. The amount of whining and victimhood has just exploded in the last year or so.

When your kid puts in the amount of time and effort that my 2e TJ kid puts in and does not get into similarly impressive colleges, I will believe you have a point. Until then, throw out the XBox, delete social media, and tell you kid they will have to regularly study 10-15 hours over the weekend and until after midnight during the week, in part because they don’t get home from extracurriculars until 8:30. Because that is how my kid will get into a top college. Not because of extra 1/2 hour on the math section of the SAT.

And if this is not the high school experience you want for your kid, fine. That’s fair. But don’t expect them to get into a top college ahead of kids who are putting in the sweat equity.

I love it! Now people who question giving extra test time to students with anxiety are racist, homophobic and sexist!

All I can say is that a hit dog hollers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some really horrible people on this thread. God, I hope there are some sock puppets, cause it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people with disabilities.

And women. And people of color. And non-Americans. And LGBTQ individuals. And Muslims. And Asian students— there is a lot of hatred in this country right now. A lot of people blaming others for their own shortcomings. People with disabilities are just the latest in a long line of people being blamed because white men have to compete, rather than just being handed things for being white men. The amount of whining and victimhood has just exploded in the last year or so.

When your kid puts in the amount of time and effort that my 2e TJ kid puts in and does not get into similarly impressive colleges, I will believe you have a point. Until then, throw out the XBox, delete social media, and tell you kid they will have to regularly study 10-15 hours over the weekend and until after midnight during the week, in part because they don’t get home from extracurriculars until 8:30. Because that is how my kid will get into a top college. Not because of extra 1/2 hour on the math section of the SAT.

And if this is not the high school experience you want for your kid, fine. That’s fair. But don’t expect them to get into a top college ahead of kids who are putting in the sweat equity.

I hope that you realize that top colleges don't pick students on the basis of SATs and GPAs and standard ECs alone. They quite possibly will be picking top swimmers, residents of North Dakota and legacies first, even though they might sometimes have lower scores than your kid. Many TJ kids with high scores who have put in their sweat equity aren't heading for the ivies.

Very True. And I would not send my ADHD kid to an Ivy. Too big and large classes. I have low standards. I consider WM and Top 25 LACs to be top colleges FOR MY KID.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What concerns me from a related article is the statement that wealthier students are more likely to receive accommodations than poor students.

What happens when these kids graduate college? Is an employer going to give a person who takes twice as long to do something the same salary as someone who meets deadlines?

No, but people with disabilities are often able to sort themselves into careers and positions where they are capable of succeeding with fewer accommodations. My older DD has anxiety and ADHD. She’s a rockstar in her position at a media outlet and has been rapidly promoted twice. She’s able to set her schedule so her symptoms don’t get in the way. She couldn’t always do that with hundred-level freshman courses and senior seminars.

Also, the brain is still developing at 18-22. My DD’s meds worked better at 23 than 18. It wasn’t a compliance issue. Her brain chemistry settled down after puberty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some really horrible people on this thread. God, I hope there are some sock puppets, cause it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people with disabilities.

And women. And people of color. And non-Americans. And LGBTQ individuals. And Muslims. And Asian students— there is a lot of hatred in this country right now. A lot of people blaming others for their own shortcomings. People with disabilities are just the latest in a long line of people being blamed because white men have to compete, rather than just being handed things for being white men. The amount of whining and victimhood has just exploded in the last year or so.

When your kid puts in the amount of time and effort that my 2e TJ kid puts in and does not get into similarly impressive colleges, I will believe you have a point. Until then, throw out the XBox, delete social media, and tell you kid they will have to regularly study 10-15 hours over the weekend and until after midnight during the week, in part because they don’t get home from extracurriculars until 8:30. Because that is how my kid will get into a top college. Not because of extra 1/2 hour on the math section of the SAT.

And if this is not the high school experience you want for your kid, fine. That’s fair. But don’t expect them to get into a top college ahead of kids who are putting in the sweat equity.

I love it! Now people who question giving extra test time to students with anxiety are racist, homophobic and sexist!

All I can say is that a hit dog hollers.

See how that works? reading comprehension would sink you no matter how much time you're given. Nice attempt at twisting PP's statement, though.

[Anonymous]

It is going to get worse before it gets better. In 2017, after being sued, the SAT and ACT both automatically accept whatever accommodations are on a 504plan or IEP or whatever plan a private school uses. It really gives an advantage to wealthy parents who pay privately for testing and then threaten to sue the school unless their kid gets a 504 plan if in public. In private school why wouldn't schools want to have as many students as possible get extra time. There average SAT will be higher and their students will get into better colleges. The SAT did a study that showed extra time is beneficial for students who are higher scoring with and without disabilities. So everyone who is doing well to begin with will do better. It doesn't benefit any lower scoring students sho just haven't mastered the material to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is going to get worse before it gets better. In 2017, after being sued, the SAT and ACT both automatically accept whatever accommodations are on a 504plan or IEP or whatever plan a private school uses. It really gives an advantage to wealthy parents who pay privately for testing and then threaten to sue the school unless their kid gets a 504 plan if in public. In private school why wouldn't schools want to have as many students as possible get extra time. There average SAT will be higher and their students will get into better colleges. The SAT did a study that showed extra time is beneficial for students who are higher scoring with and without disabilities. So everyone who is doing well to begin with will do better. It doesn't benefit any lower scoring students sho just haven't mastered the material to begin with.

I feel like the barrier is still pretty high to get an IEP. Not sure about a 504 or private school
accommodations. Still, I am looking forward to the lawsuit about the racial disparities this policy causes ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some really horrible people on this thread. God, I hope there are some sock puppets, cause it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people with disabilities.

"...it is hard to believe that so many people feel this way about people who game the system to get advantages for their children at the expense of others."

Fixed it for ya!

I don't think anyone is saying that people don't game the system. But those who are saying that EVERYONE should get extra time are ridiculous and just downright clueless and lack empathy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is going to get worse before it gets better. In 2017, after being sued, the SAT and ACT both automatically accept whatever accommodations are on a 504plan or IEP or whatever plan a private school uses. It really gives an advantage to wealthy parents who pay privately for testing and then threaten to sue the school unless their kid gets a 504 plan if in public. In private school why wouldn't schools want to have as many students as possible get extra time. There average SAT will be higher and their students will get into better colleges. The SAT did a study that showed extra time is beneficial for students who are higher scoring with and without disabilities. So everyone who is doing well to begin with will do better. It doesn't benefit any lower scoring students sho just haven't mastered the material to begin with.

I feel like the barrier is still pretty high to get an IEP. Not sure about a 504 or private school
accommodations. Still, I am looking forward to the lawsuit about the racial disparities this policy causes ...

No, my DC received a rejection from ACT this year that said having accommodations written into an IEP does not automatically mean they are necessary on ACT. They do still evaluate on a case by case basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is going to get worse before it gets better. In 2017, after being sued, the SAT and ACT both automatically accept whatever accommodations are on a 504plan or IEP or whatever plan a private school uses. It really gives an advantage to wealthy parents who pay privately for testing and then threaten to sue the school unless their kid gets a 504 plan if in public. In private school why wouldn't schools want to have as many students as possible get extra time. There average SAT will be higher and their students will get into better colleges. The SAT did a study that showed extra time is beneficial for students who are higher scoring with and without disabilities. So everyone who is doing well to begin with will do better. It doesn't benefit any lower scoring students sho just haven't mastered the material to begin with.

This is not true. The college board specifically says that they make a determination independent of 504s and IEPs. And I can tell you from personal experience, they require a lot of documentation. From psycheducational testing by a licensed psychologist, from the school, from individual teachers observations.

https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities/eligibility

https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities/eligibility

We did get college board accommodations. After 2 days of neuropsych testing, a 20 page report from a PhD with the results of an IQ test and other educational testing, with a showing of more than 2 SDs between PS and FS IQ. With a copy of a 504plan and a ton of documentation from the school, and with documentation from a teacher that DC used accommodations on a regular basis. And with a ton of justifications. It was not a sort or easy process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is going to get worse before it gets better. In 2017, after being sued, the SAT and ACT both automatically accept whatever accommodations are on a 504plan or IEP or whatever plan a private school uses. [b]It really gives an advantage to wealthy parents who pay privately for testing[b] and then threaten to sue the school unless their kid gets a 504 plan if in public. In private school why wouldn't schools want to have as many students as possible get extra time. There average SAT will be higher and their students will get into better colleges. The SAT did a study that showed extra time is beneficial for students who are higher scoring with and without disabilities. So everyone who is doing well to begin with will do better. It doesn't benefit any lower scoring students sho just haven't mastered the material to begin with.

Yes if you can afford testing, more information is available to the school when it comes to developing services and accommodations. So that does create an advantage over kids whose families don’t have the resources for private testing. However, the testing, which is objective, must show a disability. Or are you saying that wealthy parents are paying for falsified results from professional neuropsychologists?