Implementing Academic Accommodations

Q1: What is current attendance policy?

• A: “Student is allowed one absence in the term, anything beyond one absence will result in points deduction”

Q2. What modifications can be made to the policy to accommodate students with disabilities? Is there a maximum of absences the student is allowed without penalty?

• A: "Student may miss an additional three days of class (totaling 4) without penalty or grade reduction. Any absences beyond this, instructor will follow grading policy on the syllabus (the number is agreed upon based on the students disability impact, past experiences and the expectations of the course)"

Q3. When and how is the student notifying their instructor of their disability-related absence?

• A: "If the student will be absent, the student will inform the instructor of their absence 24 hours before class. However, due to the nature of the disability, advanced notice may not always be possible. In these cases, student (or designated contact- usually a parent) will email instructor as soon as possible after the scheduled class session."

Q4. How will the student submit assignments due on the day they are absent?

• A: "Student will submit any assignments via Blackboard, unless instructed otherwise by professor."

Q5. Is there a timeframe by when make-up exams need to be completed?

• "If absent on a day of an exam, student must complete make-up exam within one week of the original date of the scheduled exam."

Q1: What is the current attendance policy for your course, as stated on the course syllabus?

• Students can miss up to two lectures a semester without impact toward their grade.

Q2: What modifications can be made to the policy to accommodate students with disabilities? Is there a maximum of absences the student is allowed without penalty?

• The student should reach out to me to notify me of their absence, the course material will be posted online and they should reach out with any questions.

Q3: When and how is the student notifying their instructor of their disability-related absence?

• Via email

Q4: How will the student submit assignments due on the day they are absent?

• On sakai or on the next lecture after class.

Q5: Is there a timeframe by when make-up exams need to be completed?

• Exams should be made up within a week of the absence.

Q1: What is the current attendance policy for your course, as stated on the course syllabus?

• Students can miss two classes during the semester without the absence affecting their participation grade. Any absences beyond that will result in participation scores of zero for the missed class(es) if the student does not make up the participation points. Missing more than one-third of the class sessions will result in a failing grade for the course.

Q2: What modifications can be made to the policy to accommodate students with disabilities? Is there a maximum of absences the student is allowed without penalty?

• Missed classes can be made up with a short reading response essay on the day’s assigned reading (2-3 pages, due one week after the absence). Counted absences will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Q3: When and how is the student notifying their instructor of their disability-related absence?

• Email. If possible, student should communicate before the missed class. Shortly after is also acceptable if necessary.

Q4: How will the student submit assignments due on the day they are absent?

• Canvas, unless it is a make-up that takes a different format--in this case, email.

Q5: Is there a timeframe by when make-up exams need to be completed?

• Make-up exams will need to be completed within two weeks. This will not apply to the final exam due to the senior grade deadline.

• 50% or 100% additional time on traditional tests?
  • If professors are able to meet the student's accommodations, they should make arrangements with the student to begin the exam early or complete the exam after class in the professor’s office. If a professor is unable to proctor the exam, the student can make arrangements to take the test at the Student Disabilities Resource Center.
  • The SDRC has four testing rooms for proctoring exams with accommodations. They can be reserved on a first come first serve basis by the student by submitting a Proctored Exam Request to the SDRC at least 3 business days in advanced of the exam date.
  • Accommodations are not retroactive: Students are told that faculty are not obligated to provide accommodations prior to the presentation of a faculty notification letter.

• Quiet location for testing

  • If a neighboring classroom/office/lab offers a distraction reduced environment, professors can offer that space to the student for the exam. Alternatively, the professor and student can make arrangements for the student to take the test at the Student Disabilities Resource Center

     

• Computer test reader
  • The professor and student can make arrangements for the student to take the test at the Student Disabilities Resource Center
• Dragon Naturally Speaking as a test writing resource
  • The professor and student can make arrangements for the student to take the test at the Student Disabilities Resource Center
• Use of computer to type essay exams
  • The professor and student can make arrangements for the student to take the test at the Student Disabilities Resource Center
• Spelling and punctuation considerations on exams
  • This accommodation is allowed only if it is specified on the faculty notification of accommodation letter.

Most students will be asked to use Notetaking Express, a software which allows students to record lectures to obtain notes and transcripts from. NTE is a user-friendly service that converts the student’s lecture recordings to professional notes. The student simply records the lecture and uploads it to NTE. Within 24 hours, the notes are sent to the student’s Pomona email. Student who request Notetaking Services accommodation for their class(es) will receive an NTE account and information about how to use the service.

Peer notetakers are approved as an accommodation for certain students only. Notes are to be used as a supplement allowing the student to fill in detail their own notes that may have been missed due to the effects of a disability. Notetakers are confidential and are paid through the Dean of Students Office. Faculty may be asked to make an announcement to the class of the need of a notetaker for their course, without identifying the student who needs it.

Once a notetaker is identified, they should be referred to SDRC at sdrc@claremont.edu. Notetakers will be trained to provide acceptable notes by either the DOS or staff at SDRC. If you have no volunteers, please work with SDRC and the student to figure out how to provide notes while a notetaker is recruited.