Success in university-required mathematics courses: An investigation of students with learning disabilities

The number of students with learning disabilities attending institutions of higher education has dramatically increased in the last ten years and will continue to do so. Since federal laws require appropriate accommodations for students with learning disabilities, it is important for universities to evaluate the effectiveness of their services. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a class reserved for students with learning disabilities and to identify predictors of student success. Success of students enrolled in a section of finite mathematics reserved for students with learning disabilities is compared to the success of students with learning disabilities who fulfilled their mathematics requirement in another section. It was concluded that students with learning disabilities perform better in a class reserved for students with learning disabilities than students enrolled in open sections. Student documentation, such as high school GPA, SAT scores, and intelligence test scores, were analyzed to identify predictors of student success overall and within each group. These predictors serve to help academic advisors place students with learning disabilities in the courses, based on their individual profile, which will allow them more chances for success in their university-required mathematics courses. The final component of the study included a survey of student satisfaction with accommodations. The survey showed that, overall, students with learning disabilities are satisfied with the accommodations they receive in their university-required mathematics courses. It is important to evaluate the effectiveness of accommodations and services for students with learning disabilities in university-required mathematics courses. It is also important to have a research-based method for placing students in mathematics courses with appropriate accommodations. Professors, academic counselors, and universities need to be assured that they are providing appropriate accommodations to students with learning disabilities as required by law.