CCHE688 by April Hammonds

1. Northern Arizona University
CCHE688-College Teaching
Professor Maureen King, Ph.D.
College Student Population Assignment
April Hammonds
October 6, 2015
Learning Disabilities

2. A learning disability is defined as:
“ Neurological condition that interferes with an
individual’s ability to store, process, or produce
information. Learning disabilities can affect one’s ability
to read, write, speak, spell, compute math, reason and
also affect an individual’s attention, memory,
coordination, social skills, and emotional
maturity”(IDEA, 2015).

3. List of a few Learning Disabilities and definitions:
Auditory Processing Disorder- Affects how that sound travels
unimpeded through the ear is processed and interpreted by the
brain.
Dyscalculia- A specific learning disability that affects a person’s
ability to understand numbers and learn math facts.
Dyslexia- Learning Disability that affects reading and related
language based processing skills.
Dysgraphia- Learning disability that affects a person’s handwriting
ability and fine motor skills.
NonVerbal Learning Disabilities- Trouble interpreting nonverbal
cues like facial expressions or body language and may have poor
coordination.

4. Currently there are 2.4 million college students with specific
learning disabilities, this represents 41% of students receiving
special services (IDEA, 2015). Colleges across our nation are
becoming more aware of students who are in need of special
services. Most all colleges including Community and Universities
offer Disability Resources for those students who are in need of
help and guidance throughout their educational career.
Equipping students with the knowledge necessary to make
informed decisions towards the fulfillment of their academic
goals; campus services may provide spaces in which students can
learn how to navigate and succeed in college (HERI, 2013).

5. The college student learning disability population should be
responsible for self-identification and self-advocacy. This
population while in college will get a better understanding of
their academic strengths and weaknesses which is an essential
part in their success. Students with learning disabilities want to
be treated the same as other students, they may have certain
limitations however they strive to maintain the same balance as
their peers. American college students already know that they
want a degree. The challenge is to help students become highly
intentional about the forms of learning and accomplishment that
the degree should represent (AACU, 2007).

6. College students who have learning disabilities and are in need
of special services are required by law to receive them.
According to, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its
amendments (ADAAA) require that reasonable accommodations
be made available to college students who have current
documentation of learning disabilities and who request learning
and/or testing accommodations (ADA, 2015).
Disability Resources is offered on campus at every educational
institution of higher learning. They help empower students and
give encouragement to fulfill their educational goals.

7. Learning disabled college students have a wide array of
scholarships that are offered for financial aid, and students are
also able to find work study programs that will help them pay for
college, while giving them work experience. The role that a LD
college student has is very similar to a regular student’s status.
The same responsibilities are still set in place and they are
required to follow the same policies and procedures as any
other student. LD students will have special accommodations but
this does not mean they have any other special circumstances
other than their peers, they will do the same work and the same
tests. Being treated equally is important for all students. If
people are treated in a way as to reinforce behavior as part of
normative expectations, they tend to believe this behavior
represents who they are and what is expected of them and their

8. Support Services for Students with Disabilities
● career and work inventory
● help with cost of books and tuition
● testing services
● bus transportation
● counselors on staff to help with personal issues
● each institution of higher learning is different and some may
offer more assistance than others, it is always a good idea to
check with each school on what help a LD student can
receive.

9. Graduation rates are no longer the world’s highest; The United
States is the 5th in the world in college graduation rates (Kuh,G).
Students with a LD seem to have a very low percentage rate for
graduating from a higher and/or post-secondary educational
institution. Among students in 2005 cohort working toward any
type of post-secondary credential, only 40.7 percent graduated or
received a degree, versus 52.4 percent of the general population
(CCRS, 2013). Students with LD can succeed in school with the
help of mentors, peers, staff and faculty.

10. As a college Professor I will prepare to teach the learning
disabled student population in a manner that will enable them to
understand the basic functions of the course work. Many
students who have learning disabilities feel overwhelmed in the
classroom setting thus making it more difficult to stay focused
and concentrate on the material. Students may feel vulnerable
and will seek out help with their peers or staff. Keeping them in a
structured and positive learning environment will help them
succeed. Instructional needs of students with LD can be met with
collaborative efforts between general and special education
Instructors. Enabling, confirming, and supportive process
initiated by in-and-out of class agents that fosters academic and
interpersonal development (Rendon, 2005).

11. Since 1985, among first-time, full-time freshman who reported
having a disability the percentage of those with a learning
disability doubled from 15 percent to 32 percent, (HEATH, 2013).
College professors need to understand that colleges are
identifying more students that have special accommodations for
their learning disabilities and teachers should do research on the
specific LD so they can be in sync with the students who have the
disability. Students with LD want to be treated the same, while
still being able to maintain their integrity in class.

12. Understanding the validating experiences of diverse student populations can provide
valuable knowledge for the development of learning environments that empower all
students to succeed and achieve their educational goals (Hurtado, 2011). The learning
disabled college population have come a long way and are making strides in all they do
to succeed in college. Having the right resources readily available for students will
make the transition into college easier and more functional. Financial aid is offered and
numerous scholarships for qualifying students, as well as disability resources that can
help aide in any information a student is seeking help with. Faculty and staff are willing
to help as long as a student puts forth the effort to communicate with them. College
teaching is more than what we do rather it’s how we do it and requires us to be
reflectuve in our practice and current with the scholarship and practice of teaching
(Borden, n.d.).

13. References
Brand, B., Valent, A., & Danielson, L. (2013). College and Career Readiness and Success Center at American
Institutes for Research.
Borden, V. (n.d.). Student Swirl and the Hidden Curriculum.
College Learning for the New Global Century. (2007). Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU).
Washington, DC.
DeBard, R. (2004). Millennials Coming to College. New Directions for Student Services, no. 106. Wiley
Periodicals, Inc.
HEATH Resource Center. (2013). Success in College for Adults with Learning Disabilities. www.idonline.org
HERI Research Brief (2013). Your First College Year Survey, 2012. HIgher Education Research Institute at UCLA.
Hurtado, S., Cuellar, M., & Guillermo-Wann, C. (2011). Quantitative Measures of Students Sense of Validation:
Advancing the Study of Diverse Learning Environments. Enrollment Management Journal.
Kuh, G. (n.d.). Declining By Degrees: Higher Education at Risk Fact Sheet. University of Indiana.
Rights and Responsibilities of College Students with Learning Disabilities (LD). (2014). www.idaamerica.org.
Rendon, L. (2005). Recasting Agreements that Govern Teaching and Learning: An Intellectual and Spiritual
Framework for Transformation. Religion and Education, Vol. 32, No.1. University of Northern Iowa.