Here's a question I've been pondering which is currently
hypothetical but could easily come to pass at my institution.
Suppose you have a student who does exceptionally well in your
courses. However, this student has also been classified as a
"special needs" student, and therefore receives special
consideration on examinations, such as extra time and a quiet
place to write. Presumably, the student would argue that
these accommodations are essential to her success.
Question # 1: Suppose the student asked you to write a letter of
reference, either for an employer or for graduate school. Would
you mention the special help received on examinations?
My tentative opinion is that you would have a duty to include
this information in the letter of reference, although you might
warn the student beforehand that you would do this.
Question # 2: Inclusion of this information in a letter to an
employer would undoubtedly hurt the student's chances of getting
the job. But would it also hurt her chances of getting into
graduate school? Would a graduate school take this as an
indicator of lesser fitness for graduate training?
Question # 3: Contrary to my opinion in Question # 1, is it
possible that it would be legally or ethically improper to
include information about being a "special needs" student or
receiving special accommodations in a letter of reference? Could
it be argued that this is privileged personal information which
has the same status as disclosures in a therapy session, and
therefore should not be divulged in a letter of reference?
If I'm right in Question # 1, one implication is that student
counsellors should warn students seeking special status. They
should be told that accepting special arrangements on exams
carries the disadvantage that the information will be noted in
letters of reference.
What do people think?
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/
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