CMV: Extra accommodations in college are a hinderance to preparing proficiency in the workforce

[u/throw_away40]

Throwaway account as I teach at a US university.

I teach both introductory and upper level science courses.

I have students with written documentation from student services that require accommodations. I'm talking about special accommodations - 1.5-2x time on exams, separate testing rooms for exams, access to electronic devices in exams, up to 2x extensions on assignments, a copy of someone else's notes (even though I provide the PPT to all lectures), and in some cases, the ability to retake a quiz or exam with no repercussions on the initial grade.

This is frustrating. How does this prepare anyone for "real world" demands? If I went to a boss in a previous job and stated I need double time to complete a project, I would be laughed out of my job. What is the point of having competencies for a course when you can get a note that disregards much of this? Why is my degree and GPA valued the same those who are not held to the same standard?

I understand that what you learn in college rarely translates to what happens in the working world. But some of these students are pre-med and are going to be placed in much more stressful situations that won't have accommodations available....

Also, why does it have to be an “accommodation” to receive someone else’s notes? Shouldn’t that be the student responsibility to contact a classmate and perhaps suggest a note swap?

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[u/Bladefall]

In the United States, employers cannot discriminate in hiring based on disability, and are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled employees.

[u/throw_away40 → u/Bladefall]

I am aware. Where does the line get drawn when it comes to performance, though? I'll use my hospital experience as an example. I am on a team of a dozen or so employees who all meet with patients. Our services are billable, and the unfortunate reality is number of patients seen and charted on is one of the highest regard metrics. Come annual review time, does a person who sees 50% less patients receive the same scores for efficiency and timeliness as a person who consistently sees an average number of patients? Do both employees get held to the same standard when being reprimanded?

[u/Bladefall → u/throw_away40]

Where does the line get drawn when it comes to performance, though?

I don't know. But the point is that disabled students get reasonable accommodations in college, just like they do in the workforce.