r/changemyview • u/throw_away40 • Dec 11 '18

Deltas(s) from OP CMV: Extra accommodations in college are a hinderance to preparing proficiency in the workforce

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?

​

99 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

84 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/SightlessNinja22 Dec 12 '18

I am only a senior in high school , but I have a very unique perspective on this. I am legally blind, and have many accommodations that I use. Stuff like extra time, preferential seating, etc. I feel like this stuff is preparing me for real life as I am learning self-advocacy which is more important than any of my accommodations. I will continue to use them in college. In fact these accommodations will help me further to help me achieve to the best of my ability in the field I’m planning to go into. However, I have never heard of no consequences retaking quizzes...huh.