First, put the student through a math study skills program. Then provide all appropriate learning accommodations, such as text on tape, and third, offer testing accommodations, such as large type tests that are color-coded. The BU decision is only legally binding on the parties in action. Some institutions will still grant the substitution of courses. All three steps could take place in the disability services office, said Nolting.
Service providers are, of course, quite adept at determining accommodations.
Math expertise isn't required to teach the course, said Nolting. I do very little math in math study skills. When it comes to understanding how learning disabilities affect math, the disability coordinator is probably better than math people. Most math instructors don't have the knowledge of learning theory from the students' perspective. I n a 1992 study, Nolting found that students who took a math study skills training course had significantly higher grades in an arithmetic course than students who did not take the course.