<p>I have a new plan. (Not Plan B, as by now we must be on Plan E or F or G). Yesterday Son got the “you are on probation letter” and it listed lots of resources. I’m going to check out those resources…I’ll forget that Son is very bright with a disablity. I’ll pretend that Son is one of those kids who barely got through HS.</p>
<p>I do think that the school is sadistic, however. The academic probation letters were received yesterday, and all offices are closed today for the “chancellor’s fair.” I’m sure I’m not the only alarmed person wanting help and reassurance, only to get the “we are closed today” message.</p>
<p>Missypie, every college class must have a syllabus. A professor who says there is no syllabus is not doing his/her job and should be reported to the chair. It sounds as if your son had the misfortune of having a lazy, unprofessional instructor. Really, the department chair should know about this.</p>
<p>The teacher without syllabus was a high school teacher who was making extra money by teaching one summer school class. (In a coincidence, we had actually hired this woman as a tutor many years before.)</p>
<p>I have had Son’s log in info for some time because I paid for his classes on line with a credit card. This morning I was on a long conference call and started cruising to see what all was in his account. If you click the name of each class, you get a whole menu with grades, attendance, and about 8 other options. If I had known about that a few weeks ago, I could have made Son drop the class instead of fail it. </p>
<p>So now I don’t need email contact with the teachers.</p>
<p>"Missypie, every college class must have a syllabus. "</p>
<p>This is not true. It sounds like something obvious, but it is simply not the case. Many teachers/professors still write things on the board for kids to write down. They will tell you that they move at the pace the class needs to move.</p>
<p>Colleges nationwide are hiring more and more adjuncts. This has always been the case at community colleges, but four-year schools do it as well.</p>
<p>Missypie, you might talk with an advisor who can give some direction to your son about which teachers are more likely to be flexible and work with him. They do know this information, but it is not something they will volunteer.</p>
<p>They want the engaging kids to make it. They want the attractive, witty kids to make it. The overweight boy who comes to class and sits down and doesn’t make eye contact with anyone…they don’t even know he’s there, much less care if he makes it. I totally “get” why teachers don’t warm to autistic students … the vast majority of the citizens of the world don’t warm to autistic people…but I still think he deserves to be able to earn a college degree.</p>
<p>I feel for you. I have a daughter with an LD and one of the most difficult things to help with is to convince teachers because she is quiet and well behaved that she is learning or getting an education. It’s the rowdy kids with ADHD etc. who get the attention, for better or worse. The quiet kid who doesn’t cause trouble - or get engaged in the class - is, as you say, invisible. </p>
<p>Your son does deserve a college degree. Maybe you need to go up the food chain at the Disabilities Office. It sounds more like you’re dealing with a public elementary school’s idea of an IEP than actual useful accommodations with a committed academic partner.</p>
<p>I will stick by my claim that every professor should have a syllabus. The syllabus must be in writing and it must be distributed to students either in hard copy or electronically (or posted on a website). It may be altered according to class needs, but in order for a course to approved for the catalogue, a syllabus must exist. I have taught at several institutions and I have never heard of a professor not having a syllabus. It is a basic requirement of the job, adjunct or no. I have been an adjunct, I have hired adjuncts, and at every institution I have ever worked at in any capacity, the instructor must submit a syllabus during the first week of the term to the department chair.</p>
<p>I had one class (yes college class, yes a “real” class, yes taught by a professor) where I didn’t get a syllabus. The vast majority should have a syllabus, but there’s no guarantee that every single one will.</p>