Sunday, February 15, 2009

There goes any hopes I had of becoming a doctor.

This past week the SF Chronicle ran the article, "No help for dyslexics who want to be doctors." The CA state Supreme Court decided that American Association of Medical Colleges does not need to provide accommodations, such as extended time, for learning disabled test takers. This is rather unfortunate because it will make it harder for some who would probably make a great doctor to get into medical school, even though they have the knowledge and intelligence necessary. I happen to know from familial experience that dyslexia is not a determining factor in what kind of doctor a person will make, and should not be apart of determining medical school entrance. This certainly does seem like a set back for disabled rights. Any thoughts?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine that this will stand without a challenge, since it sounds like a flagrant disregard of the ADA. Since standardized testing is largely valueless and stupid anyway, the least they can do is accommodate test takers.

Anonymous said...

Ah, just do what the other kids do and hire someone to take the test for you.... I have often wondered why they put so much emphasis on test scores and grades and so little emphasis on what sort of person is applying. Cheating of all sorts was not unknown during the years when I was applying to med school (1970's).

dad said...

ya! Sometimes very sociaopatic, even dangerous cheating. I have a copy of The Cheating Culture. Great book. Should I bring it down?