"Participation Alternatives" Case
Please read the following Case Description and possible Case Responses in this case. Select the button next to the best response. Then, click the "Answer" button to see the results. [Suggestion: Learn more about Determining the Appropriateness of a response before you answer.]Case Description
The professor meets with Disability Support Services (DSS) and Isaac and arranges for DSS to proctor tests and quizzes with extended time. During the conversation, they also agree to switch to a room across the hall that has the door in back. Isaac will sit in the back of the class so he can step out to the hall if the verbal tics last very long. While not entirely convinced that the student belongs in class, the professor takes some consolation in the fact that at least he will not disturb the class as much and not during testing.It is now the 8th week of the semester, and the Professor is back in the Dean's office.
Professor: I did as you asked. I met with DSS and Isaac. I was surprised that things were going well; none of the students were complaining. Then about the two weeks ago, the frequency and length of the disruptions increased. Eight students complained about having difficulty following the class discussion. Most classes are interrupted 5-8 times in an hour and he is missing the majority of every class. I know you think I am a biased because of my initial reaction, but I honestly cannot teach class. What can I do?
Dean: Did you talk to the DSS Counselor?
Professor: What good would that do? They are going to side with the student like they did over testing.
Dean: Let's call them and see. (Dean calls DSS Counselor on speaker phone) Isabel, I have Professor Frank Davidson here, he has the student with Tourette's in his class that filed the grievance earlier this semester. He says the disruptions are so bad that a number of students have complained and that class is interrupted 5-8 times an hour, what do you think we can do?
DSS Counselor: I can come by class and observe in the next few days so I can evaluate the situation, and then we can meet to discuss it.
A week later, the three of them meet and the DSS counselor confirms that the student is disrupting class based on her classroom observations. She observed that even though Isaac has access to another student's notes, he missed more than half the class on those two days she was in the classroom and could not effectively participate in class discussion. She speaks with the professor about next steps.
DSS Counselor: Isaac's disability is not affecting his other credits this semester, a swimming course and an independent art project. At this point, there are not too many options. How important are the classroom discussions at this point? Could you relax your attendance policy and let the student share notes and take the tests for the next 4 weeks? If not, what about giving Isaac an Incomplete or a Withdrawal?
If you were the professor in this situation, how would you respond?
