Jackie-- you know from my extensive work in MA that it is my posititon 
( and I am not alone in this) that no formal assessment for LD is 
suitable for ESOL learners --- there are no tests standardized on the 
adult ESOL population, the language and cultural issues are huge and 
qualified personnel--those who are native speakers of the language in 
question and trained to use tools in that language and across languages 
essentially do not exist or are few and far between..

Personally, my read of the law would say that given these factors make 
assessing ESOL learners with the existing tools and methods impossible 
since the requirements of the law cannot be met.   Furthermore, since 
adult ESOL learners, are, to my knowledge, often diagnosed as MR as a 
result of using incorrect, unsuitable instruments, such a diagnosis 
would be actionable, should anyone care to go there.

Robin Lovrien Schwarz

-----Original Message-----
From: jfletcher at doe.mass.edu
To: learningdisabilities at nifl.gov
Sent: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 8:57 AM
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1062] Re: LD Specialist in Washington

  Hi Jimmie,

Your assessment model is really exemplary. My question is, and forgive 
me if
you have already answered this question, can you conduct an assessment 
on an
ESOL learner? If not, how do you assess students who do not speak 
English?
Thanks.

Jackie Fletcher
MA. Dept. of Education

-----Original Message-----
From: Smith, Jimmie [mailto:jsmith at RTC.edu]
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 12:33 PM
To: The Learning Disabilities Discussion List
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1057] Re: LD Specialist in Washington


Gerald,

You would be welcome to visit.

Jimmie Smith, M.Ed.
Counselor/LD Specialist
Student Success Center
Renton Technical College
425-235-2352  ext.5717

-----Original Message-----
From: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Gerald
Frisby
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:58 PM
To: The Learning Disabilities Discussion List
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1055] Re: LD Specialist in Washington

Jimmie, Fascinating I would love to visit Renton Tech, you all are doing
some remarkable things.


>>> "Smith, Jimmie" <jsmith at RTC.edu> 4/11/2007 1:12 PM >>>

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




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