The Fine Line Between Difference and Disability was discussed by Professors Jolanta Jonak and George Tolczyk from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

Doctoral Students and Faculty learnt about US context in terms of critical distinctions between learning differences and learning disabilities, with a focus on student uniqueness and cultural and linguistic diversity in student populations. Special attention is given to the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, who are often at greater risk of being misidentified for special education services due to overlapping language acquisition challenges and academic underperformance. Rooted in educational psychology, second-language acquisition theory, and classroom-based assessment practices, the session examines how educators can more accurately differentiate between a true learning disability and a learning difference shaped by language background, socio-cultural factors, or instructional mismatch.

Through frameworks of second-language development, multiple intelligences, and evidence-based instructional strategies, the session provides approaches to make informed, equitable decisions regarding student support and special education referrals.

Find more: https://www.aps.edu.pl/doktoranci/szkola-doktorska/wyklady-otwarte/wyklad-otwarty-prof-jolanty-jonak-i-prof-george-a-tolczyka/ 

A special workshop on

The Hidden Curriculum of Belonging: How Athletics and Fraternity Life Shape Student Identity and Engagement at a U.S. University was delivered by Adrian Tolczyk from Penn State https://www.aps.edu.pl/doktoranci/szkola-doktorska/wyklady-otwarte/warsztat-w-szkole-doktorskiej/ 

We hope to continue this collaboration in the future.

On the photograph from the left side: Adrian Tolczyk, Anna Odrowąż-Coates, Izabela Mikołajewska, Jolanta Jonak, George Tolczyk