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Brief Case Study Jerry G

Name of Student: Jerry G. Age: 25 Current Placement: Has a B.A. Degree, M.A. in Biology.

Jerry G. has applied for extended time in taking the MCATS (Medical College Admission Test) for medical school because of his learning disability. Jerry's request for extended time has been denied by the American Medical College Application Board. Jerry is in the process of suing the American College Application Board under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Background: Jerry was identified in first grade as having severe problems in learning to read. The elementary school thought the classification of a learning disability would be stigmatizing so they identified Jerry as having a reading problem. He received special reading instruction throughout his elementary school experience. Jerry learned to read but his slow working memory made rapid reading very difficult for him. He found that if he spent more time on his school reading and homework, he could learn the material and succeed very well in his schoolwork. He figured that he spent over twice the amount of time doing his homework than his classmates. This problem of slow reading continued throughout high school and college. He used the special services at college to request extended time on exams in several courses. With this additional time, he did very well in his college courses. He took the MCATS last year without extended time and he failed the test. Then he applied for a Masters Degree in biology and received the M.A. degree in biology. He requested and obtained extended time in several of his biology courses.

In the law case, Jerry's attorney argued that Jerry was eligible to receive extended time under the law because he had a learning disability. However, the attorneys for the American Medical College Application Board argued that Jerry's request for extended time should be denied because his school had not identified Jerry as a student with a learning disability. Although his school records showed that his school identified Jerry with a serious reading problem, this label is not a recognized disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The judge ruled to deny Jerry's request for extended time.

 
 * Case Study Questions ** **How did the judge decide in this law case? ** **2. Do you think Jerry should be given extended time in taking the MCATS? ** **3. The Information Processing Model of Learning in Chapter 5 discusses slow working memory. Do you think this was Jerry's problem? **  