Course Substitution Practices, Policies, and Implications for Students with Disabilities
Data from 65 colleges and universities across the United State were used to study course substitution practices for postsecondary students with disabilities. Data indicate that the majority of surveyed institutions (90.8%) allow course substitutions, yet only 50% had written policies directing substitution decisions. At responding institutions (N = 65), foreign language and math are the most common courses requested for substitution. In addition, at surveyed institutions, students with learning disabilities are more likely than other students with disabilities to request and be offered substitutions. These findings are discussed in regard to §504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, subsequent legislation, and two key cases, Southeastern Community College v. Davis (1979) and Guckenberger et al. v. Boston University (1998).