NEW TO SPALDING OR
SEEKING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME?
We're delighted you've chosen to be a part of the Spalding Family. If you are in need of any type of accommodation(s) at Spalding--whether due to a learning or physical disability, a medical or mental health condition, or a temporary impairment, please complete our Request for Accommodation Application, and we will provide you with next steps. If you've like to receive guidance over the phone or in a web meeting, please email us at [email protected].
Please Note: Even if students with disabilities shared information about their disability with Spalding Admissions, that information is not shared with our office. Individual Education Plans (IEP's) and 504 plans from high school are generally not considered sufficient documentation at the post-secondary level, but in some cases may contain the test report and scores required. At the university level, it is the student's responsibility to pay all costs involved in obtaining evaluations and documentation of a disability.
If you are unable to provide documentation from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or certified mental health professional please reach out to Spalding University’s Counseling and Psychological Services for a full battery of assessments at no additional charge. This process may take one or more sessions for the Spalding University Counseling Center to schedule.
Understanding High School Versus College Accommodations:
The transition from high school to college can bring about many questions. The graph below will help understand how college accommodations differ from high school.
|
|
High School |
College |
|
Law/Act guiding accommodations |
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Premise is success in school |
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
Premise is access to all |
|
Documentation Requirements |
IEP and/or 504Plan
Evaluation is done at school by a teacher, principal, and/or school psychologist
Free to student |
Documentation must provide proof of functional limitations and need for specific accommodations.
Must be a psychological and/or physical evaluation done by a doctor or clinical psychologist.
Student is responsible for obtaining proper documentation. Students may request evaluation through the Spalding Counseling and Psychological Services Center at no addition cost. |
|
Accommodation letter |
Letter has student outcomes, criteria, and instructional practices that can be modified as needed |
Letter is meant to make reasonable accommodations for classes that will not alter the content or requirements of the class |
|
Student Role |
A student’s need for accommodation is identified by the school
Teachers may approach you if they believe an accommodation is needed |
Student must self-identify and apply for accommodation
Professors expect students to seek help and make arrangements if needed |
|
Parental Role |
Parent has access and can advocate for student |
Parent cannot access records unless student consents
Students are expected to be primary advocate for their needs |
Furthermore, the accommodations, if given, will lead differences in the classroom.
|
|
High School |
College |
|
Student Expectations |
Time management and assignments are structured by teachers
Consistent daily routine
Students function with structure, guidance, and specific direction by teacher |
Time management and assignment completion is done independently
Daily schedule is not consistent and may have large blocks of empty time
Students must function (study, take notes, and finish assignments) independently |
|
Class Instruction |
25-30 hours per week in the classroom
Learning is teacher focused
Short writing assignments with direction as to the writing process
|
12-15 hours in the classroom
Learning is student centered
Substantial writing assignments with little/no direction |
|
Testing |
IEP may include test modifications for format and/or grading
Testing consists of a small amount of information
|
Grading and format changes are generally not available in college. Instead, testing accommodations include differences in how tests are given (ex: extended time, reader, breaks, distraction reduced environments)
Testing is infrequent and covers vast amounts of materials |
|
Grades |
Many assignments make up your final grade
Teachers frequently go over grades and expectations |
Possibility that few assignments with significant weight will make up your final grade
Long term assignments common
Students are expected to keep track of their own grades and expectations
|
|
Study Responsibilities |
Tutoring may be provided by school through IEP
0-2 hours expected for studying outside of class
Short reading assignments
Test materials only include information covered in class and assigned to students
|
Tutoring is not included in accommodations however Spalding has tutoring and study halls available
No private tutoring available through college accommodations
Substantial reading assignments
2-3 hours of studying outside of class is expected per hour in class
Test materials may include outside information, such as applications of information and assignments given in class |
FOR CURRENT, RETURNING STUDENTS WITH ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have been granted academic accommodations but are not currently using them, it’s not too late to do so! You just need to ensure that you allow 72-hour notice for any test proctoring needed.
Renewals should be submitted each academic year. Please use the Application for Accommodations. If your documentation is current (no more than 3 years old), you do not need to resubmit each year. If you are requesting changes to your accommodations, please note that additional documentation or information via intake may be requested.
If you have any questions about accommodations at Spalding based on a disability or temporary impairment, please look through this website for information. If you still have remaining questions, If you'd like to receive guidance over the phone or via web-meeting, please email us at [email protected] to set up a meeting time.
Spalding University Home