Hi Everyone,

Go to Google and put in Learning Needs Screening Tool.  You will get Nancie
Payne's screening tool which is also refer to as the Washington 13, right
Nancie and Jeff.

Jackie Fletcher
MA. Dept. of Education

-----Original Message-----
From: Cindy Fischer [mailto:CFischer at Harford.edu]
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 12:40 PM
To: smcgilloway at ccbcmd.edu; The Learning Disabilities Discussion List
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1066] Re: LD Specialist in Washington


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