As more and more cuts are being made on a state level, once again we are hit
with yet another blow that further hinders the road to success for students.
As of the start of this fall semester, the Disabled Student Programs and
Services will no longer provide special needs students math tutoring
services that was available in the past.
According to the Dean of DSPS Doctor Lucinda Aborn, the decision to
eliminate this service was made due to the simple fact that there is just
not enough money to continue math tutoring for special needs students this
semester.
Although math tutoring was available for DSPS students in the summer, special needs students will now have to look at alternative sources for help, or try to take advantage of the current tutoring services that are offered to the general student body. In a brief interview with Doctor Aborn, she was provided key information as to why this service had to be eliminated.
The DSPS program offered math tutoring services through a grant that was given to the school. The specialized service is not one of the guarantees that DSPS offers through their mission of providing evaluation and support services for students with learning disabilities, so cancelling the tutoring will not cause the DSPS program to fall short of any legal standards or commitments made by the program.
“The goal is to provide equal access for all students with special needs, we provide the extra resources and accommodations necessary to make it an equal playing field amongst special needs students and the general student body here on campus”, Doctor Aborn explained during the interview. And with the many services that DSPS provides to students who qualify for this program, there is no question that help is definitely out there, for all those who want it.
The faculty that runs DSPS is certainly not to blame for the cut backs that are taking place, whether some sacrifices have to be made due to the statewide fiscal crisis is out of the hands of Doctor Aborn and her staff.
“Cerritos serves about 1,000 students with disabilities each year…what really makes a difference in meeting the needs of the students is the partnership between faculty and the students…” Aborn said. Her statements suggested that the hard work of the faculty at Cerritos is the determining factor in helping the amount of students that are being helped, which is increasing every year.
Although the Doctor Aborn expressed an optimistic perspective on the cuts, Rocio Fonseca, a student at Cerritos, full time worker and enrolled in the DSPS program, voiced a very different opinion on the cuts.
“What’s the point of being in DSPS if they’re not going to provide special need students with the basic tools to do well in school”, Rocio said. Her ability to do well in school, particularly in math, will “be greatly affected by the cuts”, she continued.
Although the cuts will affect some students in the DSPS program, Doctor Aborn pointed out the alternative measures for the affected students to take such as general student aide that will continue to be available on campus.
For more information on how to get help through the DSPS program or to qualify for special help, any student can call (562) 860-2451 ext. 2351, or (562) 467-5043 (TDD).
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