Tuesday September 29, 2009.

T.A.L.E SEMINAR Bloomsburg University

UNDERSTANDING EXCEPTIONAL BLACK COLLEGE STUDENTS:

CLASSROOM ISSUES & SUPPORT SERVICESBy

W. Emeka Obiozor, Ed.D.Assistant Professor

Department of Exceptionality Programs

The Goal

To understand diversity, exceptionality or disability issues as they affect exceptional Black college students in the classroom and on campus.

Sources of support services on campus Development of Self-determination skills Interact, laugh and be happy!

Statement of the Problem The Classroom Signs

Issues of punctuality and irregular attendance Inactive class participation Incompletion of assignments Sleeping during lectures Texting messages during lectures Class disruption – loudness, disrespectful Being homophobic Late submission of assignments Anxiety during quizzes & test-taking problems Poor overall academic achievement, Etc.

What is Diversity? Diversity is a set of conscious practices that involve:

Understanding & appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural environment.

Practicing mutual respect for qualities & experiences that are different from our own.

Understanding that diversity includes not only ways of being but also ways of knowing;

Recognizing that personal, cultural and institutionalized discrimination creates and sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others;

Building alliances across differences so that we can work together to eradicate all forms of discrimination (LAS, 2008).

Students & Faculty are Diversity Candidates

Diversity includes:

Ethnicity

Class

Gender

Physical abilities

Race

Sexual orientation

Gender expression

Educational background

Geographical location Income

Age

Marital status

Parental status

Religious status

Individual qualities

Work experiences

Note: Diversity is….

Not always fixed Can be fluid We respect individual rights to self-

identification Recognize that no one culture is intrinsically superior to another (LAS, 2008).

What is Exceptionality?

Individuals who experience difficulties in learning as well as whose performance is so superior that modifications in the curriculum and instruction are necessary to help them fulfill their potential.

They have different physical attributes & learning abilities…require special education.

What is a Disability?

A disability is any physical, sensory, mental, or

emotional condition or characteristic that

materially limits one or more major life

Activities of an individual.

The disability can affect the educational

performance of a student in the classroom where

there are no support services.

What Every Student and Teacher Needs to Know!

All persons are capable of growth and development. All persons deserve to be treated with dignity. All persons have value. All persons must be involved and carry the primary

responsibility for decisions that affect their lives . . . (Berry, 2009; Homeward Bound vs. Hissom Memorial Center, 1988)

Federal law (IDEA & ADA) requires the provision of accommodation and modifications for individuals with disabilities in the public institutions, community and work place.

Types of Disabilities/Exceptionalities

Learning Disability Behavior Disorder Attention-Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Communication Disability

Aspergers Syndrome Dyslexia Hearing Impairment

Language and Speech Impairments

Mental Disability Orthopedic Impairment Tourette Syndrome (TS) Visual Impairment

including Blindness Gifted Learner ETC.

 The Retention Challenge

One quarter of all students who enter postsecondary education for the first time end up at another institution before attaining a postsecondary degree.

Almost half (46 percent) of first-time students who left their initial institution by the end of the first year never came back to postsecondary education; etc.

Source: Beginning Postsecondary Student survey (BPS: 96/01) (Studentretention.org, 2005).

Available University Resource & Support Service Centers

Office of Accommodative Services for Students with Disabilities

Act 101/Educational Opportunity Program Developmental Instruction International Education Office Office of Diversity and Retention Student Support Services University Tutorial Services Center for Counseling and Human Development

Recommendations Be alert and sensitive to your behaviors in

class – comments, giggles, questions, facial expressions could disrupt class.

Engage in meaningful interpersonal communication with peers, staff and faculty on campus.

Establish friendly but professional relations with your professors

Teachers should develop an open door policy and Black students should take the advantage to seek assistance on academic issues

Recommendations The institutions should set up campus-wide retention

programs – to look at student issues on academic and social integration of minority students, exceptional Black students, plus other individuals with disabilities right from their first day in school.

Seek for note-taking and test-taking tips to support your learning.

Learn the APA writing style in the first week of class. Involve the LGBT organization on class sensitization Notify the campus offices of your disabilities. Go to the Office of Accommodative Services for

periodic information on available services.

On Diversity The university should take diversity

efforts to the next level by packaging comprehensive, coordinated action, where student learning and educational training benefits everyone on campus, and this process should be demonstrated in several ways.

Diversity Needs Support a safe, equitable classroom and

co-habitation on campus Be a role model of acceptance: make friends Don’t engage in name calling or harassment

of peers/teachers Respect other student’s cultures and heritage Attend LGBT events to be aware of their

culture Celebrate with other diverse cultures Be proud of your race, background and self.

Conclusion

Recognizing and respecting student diversity; working with and supporting exceptional Black students and other diverse students in the dorms and classroom, creates room for effective learning, appropriate social interaction, retention, high academic achievement and graduation from college or university campus.

This is a commitment for the leadership, student organizations, the faculty, students and staff of every higher institution across the globe.

Questions/Reflections

Discussion Questions

What factors contribute to classroom issues, academic probation & dropout of exceptional Black students?

Is there a connection with diversity & disability to their problems?

How can exceptional Black students with learning disabilities overcome their academic or social problems on campus?

Where can exceptional Black students and faculty members get information and assistance/available support services on college or university campus?

References Berry, J.O. (2009). Lifespan perspectives on the family and disability (2nd

edition). Austin, Texas: Pro-ed. Alliance for Equity in Higher Education (2001). In Studentretention.org

(2005). Retention 101. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www.studentretention.org/rtn101_leadership.html

Gladieux, L.E. & Swail, W.S. (1998). Financial aid is not enough: Improving the odds of college success. College Board Review, 185, 16-21, 30-32.

Shackelford, W.G (2005). The changing definition of workplace diversity. Retrieved August 28, 2008, from http://www.black-collegian.com/issues/2ndsem03/changing2003-2nd.shtml

Studentretention.org (2005). Retention 101. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www.studentretention.org/rtn101_leadership.html

Tinto, V. (1975). Dropouts from higher education: A theoretical synthesis of recent research. A Review of Educational Research, 45(1), 89–125.

Web Site Support

http://www.bloomu.edu/resources/counseling.php

http://www.bloomu.edu/academic/services.php

http://www.dubuque.k12.ia.us/specialed/index.html

http://www.las.iastate.edu/diversity/definition.shtml

http://www.diversityweb.org/