This email made me laugh.  Thanks for sending the link Rochelle, and yes, 
Nancie Payne would obviously be the best person to speak about the 
"Washington 13" screening process.

-J



--On Friday, April 13, 2007 12:40 PM -0400 Cindy Fischer 
<CFischer at Harford.edu> wrote:


>

> Hi all again!  Jeff Fantine should know where everyone could get the

> Washington 13.  Jeff ? where are you?  I have a copy, but I'd have to

> retype it right here.

> Cindy

>

> "If you believe in good things, you can  make them happen."

>

>>>> CFischer at Harford.edu 4/13/2007 12:22 PM >>>

>

>

> We use a list called the "Washington 13."  It's down and dirty, as we

> educators say.  I think you can "Google" it.

> Cindy

>

> "If you believe in good things, you can  make them happen."

>

>>>> smcgilloway at ccbcmd.edu 4/12/2007 10:09 PM >>>

>

> I think I must have missed the email with the 13 questions. Could someone

> please send them to the list?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Sue McGilloway

> Coordinator, Volunteers in Partnership

> Center for Adult and Family Literacy

> The Community College of Baltimore County

> 410-285-9933 Phone

> 410-285-9557 Fax

> smcgilloway at ccbcmd.edu

>

> "When women are connected, their compassion and wisdom can change our

> troubled world. Together, we can transform fear to concern and

> understanding. Peace is the sum of individual acts of courage and

> decisions as we choose how to respond in the face of need." - Patricia

> Smith Melton

>

>

>

>  _____

> From: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Gassman, Jean

> Sent: Thu 4/12/2007 1:08 PM To: The Learning Disabilities Discussion List

> Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1058] Re: LD Specialist in Washington

>

> Hi,

>

> Since my colleagues have written, I am inspired to also share what a HUGE

> difference we have made in providing services to students. I work for the

> Community Colleges of Spokane, ABE division. We have approximately 450

> students a quarter enrolled in the classes at the sites I serve. Last

> quarter, I met with 116 students. I use the same process:

>

> --Screen using the 13 questions.

>

> --Interview

>

> --Write a summary of what the student reported

>

> --Make recommendations which include strategies

>

>

>

> After the meeting with the student I usually request their records if

> they were in special education classes. When those records come, I go

> over them with the student. When they have an understanding of the

> process of their placement in special education classes, it helps them.

> Most students I work with feel they were placed in special education

> classes because they were stupid and something was wrong with them. When

> we start exploring what a person needs to be able to learn and how

> learning takes place, they do MUCH better in the classroom. One of my

> most used handouts describes the brain and how long term memory is

> influenced by emotions.

>

>

>

> The services and strategies that are recommended are as varied as the

> students. I may refer them to our Disabilities Support Service person who

> has a wonderful background in mental health counseling. He provides

> information about stress management and how to stay in school. He also

> provides for the numerous other services a student may need, such as

> audio tapes, a reader, or chairs. We have an employment counselor that is

> also available. We have an assistant who works with students on the

> Kursweil or speed reading program. I may tutor in math or writing. The

> strategies may be handouts on the brain, drinking water, food for the

> brain, stress management, memory strategies or thinking strategies.

> Additional tests may be used or other referrals made.

>

>

>

> Another most important part of my job is to help students apply for

> accommodations when necessary. I also meet with students who are not

> making progress. Because I have an office where students can come and

> visit, it is a great benefit to the students and teachers as well.

>

>

>

> I go to a local correction center one day a week. There the services of a

> learning disabilities specialist are very needed. Most of the people who

> are referred to me have had years of failure related to education. Once

> they start to look at the pieces that are parts of the learning puzzle,

> they realize that they are capable. I have seen huge changes in attitude

> and in performance.

>

>

>

> The training we received as part of the Learning Disabilities Quality

> Initiative was the key to our success. The system that we use is a

> working model so it is getting better all of the time. We had excellent

> leadership by Debbie Reck and Candyce Rennegarbe. I am very grateful to

> be a part of something that is life changing.

>

>

>

> Jean Gassman

>

>  _____

> From: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov

> [mailto:learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Smith, Jimmie

> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:13 AM To:

> LearningDisabilities at nifl.gov Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1050] LD

> Specialist in Washington

>

>

>

> Hi,

>

>

>

> I m Jimmie and I am the Learning Disabilities Specialist at Renton

> Technical College. Since Candyce and Judy have both mentioned Renton and

> the UDL project, I thought it was time to speak up. I feel very fortunate

> to be a part of the team at Renton Tech. As the LD Specialist, I screen

> students who are referred to me using the 13 questions; I then do an

> interview which includes pretty much a life history. If based on this

> information, it appears likely that there is a learning disability; I

> administer the Woodcock Johnson Test of Achievement III and the WAIS III

> for cognitive ability. Once this is done, I write up a full report of the

> findings based on the complete assessment. We have a psychologist that I

> work with and when my report is complete, I send it to him to review and

> to sign. This process works great. When the report is signed, I go over

> it with the student and give the student a copy. With the student s

> permission, our UDL Project Manager works with the instructor, along with

> me to implement the strategies and accommodations that have been

> recommended. If testing is not done, but only the screening and interview

> are done, strategies are still recommended to the student and the

> instructor. Because of the UDL grant we are able to provide these

> services to our students free of charge. We are also able to help all

> students by implementing strategies in classrooms that are beneficial to

> everyone.

>

>

>

> I do not work with just Basic Studies students, but with all students at

> our school. There are many students in programs who have been struggling

> through school most of their lives and have never understood why. With

> the process we have in place at Renton, we are able to identify and help

> these students. Sometimes the strategies are very simple, but make a huge

> difference in the success of the student.

>

>

>

> My job also includes requesting accommodations for GED students who

> qualify. Many times these students do not have the required documentation

> for receiving accommodations. If the need is because of learning

> difficulties, I am able to use the process above to document the need for

> accommodations and then request the approval from the state.

>

>

>

> I love my job because I love seeing students succeed!! My school, Renton

> Technical College has fully embraced the need to offer services that will

> benefit all students. That is what the Universal Design for Learning

> grant is all about!

>

>

>

>

>

> Jimmie Smith, M.Ed.

>

>

>

> Counselor/LD Specialist

>

> Student Success Center

>

> Renton Technical College

>

> 425-235-2352 ext.5717

>

>

>




Jeffrey A. Fantine
Director, Literacy Center
College of Education
Ohio University
340 McCracken Hall
Athens, OH  45701
800-753-1519
Fax: 740-593-2834
www.ohio.edu/literacy

"Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. For everyone, everywhere,
literacy is a basic human right...the road to human progress and the means
through which every human being can realize her or his full potential.”
-Kofi Annan, Ghanaian