Harper College Student Services

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

LD/ADD Students

Programs, Classes and Activities

PASS - Program for Achieving Student Success

Besides qualifying for accommodations, a student with a documented LD or ADD may choose to participate in PASS. PASS was established in the fall of 1993. This program provides one-on one academic support. Services are provided on a fee for service basis, currently $500 per semester. Students who have financial difficulties can discuss payment options with the Coordinator of LD services. The semester fee will guarantee at least one hour per week of specialized instructional services by professional staff. In addition to the weekly scheduled appointment, students in the PASS program will be able to take advantage of walk-in tutoring, which is scheduled throughout the week. Students in the PASS program must consent to having their progress monitored. The following are services that may be provided to PASS participants:

Instruction in learning strategies, specific to the student's weakness.
Remedial instruction in basic skills.
Instruction in effective study skills.
Specialized tutoring in the content areas.
Access and training to specialized software and assistive technology.
Success-oriented seminars when offered.
For more information, please contact Pascuala Herrera, Coordinator, LD Services, at 847.925.6266.

LD Diagnostic Testing

Students who are attending Harper College and who are requesting accommodations and/or support services through the PASS program are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who do not have the appropriate documentation of a diagnosed LD that substantially limits their learning may request an assessment through ADS. The assessment is a educational screening to determine if the person has a learning disability and to provide useful information for accommodation planning. There is a fee for this service, currently $300. For more information or to schedule testing, please call ADS.

Smart Start - Learning Community for LD/ADD students

The Smart Start Learning Community will ease the transition from high school to college. Students will build a strong community of friends as they participate in five courses which are linked together. They will investigate topics such as self-advocacy, discovering their own learning style and managing stress. This program provides full time enrollment -12 semester's credit, while accommodating students with LD and/or ADD. The courses that are linked are ORN 101, ENG 098, RDG 099, PSY 106, and PSY 107. Please refer to the special section of selected courses or the college catalogue for course descriptions. In addition to the courses students are required to attend 3 community building seminars scheduled during the semester. Space is limited to 20 students.

ENTRANCE CRITERIA:

Must have an intake completed by a Learning Disabilities Specialist in Access and Disability Services (ADS).
Must have a documented Learning Disability (LD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Documentation must have cognitive scores (Psychological Report or IEP with summary of psychological scores).
Must take the Compass Placement test and place into ENG 098 and RDG 099.
Must be recommended by an LD Specialist.

PROCESS:

Interested students will make an appointment for an intake with an LD Specialist. Appointments will be available during the summer.
Students will provide documentation of LD or ADD before they are accepted into the Learning Community.
Students will be scheduled for Compass Testing. If the student places into ENG 098 and RDG 099, the student will be considered.
Once accepted, students will register for the full time SMART START load.

Special Section of Selected Courses

Every year, the College runs special sections of courses for students with disabilities. Courses are run based on enrollment. The same curriculum is followed for each particular course. Either an ADS faculty member or a faculty member who is sensitive to the issues LD students face teaches the courses. Courses that are offered include:

ORN 101	This course is offered in a 2-day or a 12-week format. ORN 101 is intended for incoming students or students who want to learn more about being a successful college student.
CDV 110	This course is offered in a 12-week format. This course is a career development course that helps students explore possible careers while students learn about their interests, strengths and weaknesses, and the steps that are necessary to achieve each particular career choice.
PSY 107	This course is offered for students with LD and/or ADD in a 12-week format or a 2-weekend format. This course is a personal growth class. Although the general curriculum is followed, special emphasis is placed on how a disability impacts human development.
PSY 106	This course is offered in a full semester format. Classroom time is used to demonstrate strategies for effective learning applicable to other courses and content areas, employing techniques i.e. analyzing oneself as a learner, time management, marginal and Cornell lecture note taking skills, increasing memory retention and recall, and test taking tips among others.
ENG 098	This course is offered in a full semester format. In this course, students learn the basic grammar and spelling rules of Standard Written English, various approaches to assigned writing problems, generating individual approaches and responses to writing assignments, editing techniques, and creating a well organized and effective paragraph. Class work utilizes the computer, related grammar websites, links, and Assistive Technology.
RDG 099	This course is offered in a full semester format. It is designed to assist students in becoming aware of, and using strategies they need to become successful college readers. Critical thinking, evaluating, demonstrating an understanding of course themes, and displaying a variety of thinking in informal writing are crucial course outcomes.
MTH 050/060	The LD Math Section serves LD and/or ADD students. Class size is limited so that students can receive more individualized attention in this self-paced program. Instructors offer specific learning strategies that successfully build the students' math skills and better equip them for future math courses.

ADS SUCCESS CLUB

The ADS Success club is a Harper sponsored club that is open to any Harper college student, faculty, or staff who has a disability or an interest in this club. The club meets if there is sufficient student leadership semester to semester. The purpose of the ADS Success club is:

To promote self-advocacy by supporting current students in their transition to Harper College and the use of ADS services.
To undertake projects that will identify the needs of students with disabilities.
To participate in various activities that will make Harper's faculty, staff, students, and community aware of the needs of students with disabilities.
To develop social ties with other students with disabilities.
For more information, please contact Bill Hengtgen or Pascuala Herrera, co-advisors of the club. Call 847.925.6266.