Educational Support

The Naylor Learning Center

The Naylor Learning Center at Davis & Elkins College was dedicated Friday, September 23, 2011, in a public ceremony. The Center is located on the second floor of Albert Hall. It focuses on the success of all students through academic support at Davis & Elkins College. The Naylor Learning Center was established through the generosity of the Naylor family.

The Mission of The Naylor Learning Center is three-fold:

• To support the heightened performance of students and faculty campus-wide;
• To transform the learning experience of students with learning disabilities;
• And to facilitate greater access to higher education.

In pursuit of these objectives, The Naylor Learning Center offers three distinct programs: Academic Support Services, Disability Services (504 Accommodations), and the Supported Learning Program (a supplemental, academic support program, for students with learning differences or other disabilities affecting academic achievement). 

academic support program

The Academic Support Program offers a rich menu of services to address the wide range of academic needs of D&E students. Below are information and useful links for several of these services.

disability services

The Naylor Learning Center provides accommodations for students with disabilities (Section 504 and ADAA accommodations) who provide appropriate documentation qualifying for such accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the director of The Naylor Learning Center their request for accommodations. Below are important details about Disability Services:

Differences Between K-12 and College Disability Support

• Similar to the K-12 setting, legal accommodations are based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, however, in the higher education setting what is considered reasonable and appropriate can differ.
• In the K-12 setting, accommodations are provided via IEP or 504 Plan through a collaboration of teachers, administrators, and parents. In the college setting, students must self-identify and provide appropriate documentation to The Naylor Learning Center Director for approval. Once accommodations are provided and approved, students must work with course instructors and The Naylor Learning Center staff for the provision of provided accommodations.
• The US Office Of Civil Rights has a wonderful publication on the transition to higher education and differences between K-12 and higher education found here.

How to Request Accommodations 

• To identify the need for consideration of reasonable accommodations contact Director of The Naylor Learning Center Derek Fincham at finchamd@dewv.edu
• Students need to provide their name, contact phone number, type of disability or presenting issue(s) and if they are a current or incoming student.
• Student needs to provide appropriate documentation related to the identified disability or presenting issue(s) (i.e. IEP, 504 Plan, Psychoeducational assessments, ext.) Please note documentation presented might not fully meet documentation requirements and additional documentation may need to be provided/obtained.
• To apply for the Disability Services Program, click here to complete the program application.

What Documentation is Required

• Under Section 504 of the National Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, institutions of higher education can request documentation, that demonstrates a student he has a disability, that substantially limits a major life activity and that supports the need for an academic accommodation/adjustments. The documentation should identify how a student’s ability to function is limited as a result of their disability.
• Davis & Elkins College requires students to provide assessments, medical documents and/or past educational documentation that meets the above standards.
• All provided documents are reviewed by the Director of the Naylor Learning Center to determine appropriate academic accommodations/adjustments based on those requested by the student.
• If provided documentation does not meet the burden of proof needed to support requested accommodations/adjustments additional documentation will be requested.

Types of Accommodations Provided 

• Institutions of higher education provide reasonable accommodations/adjustments. This means that accommodations/adjustments provided at Davis & Elkins College will be ones that support the needs of students with learning disabilities/ differences. We do not modify curriculum and/or content on tests.
• Academic accommodations/adjustment are reasonable when it ensures that a qualified student with a disability is not excluded, segregated, or otherwise treated differently.
• Davis & Elkins College will not fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program or activity or result in undue financial or administrative burdens considering the institution’s resources. An example of an appropriate academic accommodation is the prevision of extend time on an exam.

supported learning program

Since 1989, Davis & Elkins College has offered a supplemental program providing individualized support to students with documented Learning Differences or other disabilities affecting academic achievement. The Supported Learning Program is a comprehensive program that provides support beyond federally mandated accommodations. This program takes a holistic approach, working in the areas of Academic Skills, Independent Living Skills and Social Skills as well as the transition and matriculation of students with disabilities at D&E.

Beyond the provided legal, reasonable accommodations, students enrolled in the program are scheduled weekly, one-hour sessions with a Supported Learning Program instructor, five hours of supervised weekly study hall, access to assistive technology programs, social skills programming, and monitored peer tutoring and writing support. During meetings with SLP Instructors, strategies for time management, organizational skills, learning strategies, and various study skills strategies are learned, implemented, and monitored. One-on-one academic support on assignments is also provided.

How to Apply for the Supported Learning Program     

• Students who have met the qualifications of the college admissions may also apply to the Supported Learning Program if they are able to provide required documentation of a learning differences or disability that effects academic achievement meeting the requirements for Disability Services.
• There is a separate application and a face-to-face interview.
• To apply for the Supported Learning Program, click here to complete the program application.
• Students with questions about the Support Learning Program should contact Director of The Naylor Learning Center Derek Fincham at finchamd@dewv.edu.

Sample Weekly Meeting Topics

• During weekly meetings students have direct access to their assigned SLP Instructor to address any specific academic and social needs. A student Learning plan will be developed in the beginning of each semester. Goals in the areas of academic, independent and social skills will be created.
• Sample topics include:
  • Time Management
    • Creation and review of weekly schedules.
    • Creation and review of weekly to-do-lists.
    • Review of Course Syllabi Assignments.
    • Discussion of school and social obligations.
  • Organization Skills
    • Creation and review of notebook organization.
    • Review of course note organization.
    • Review of living environment cleaning procedures
  • Learning Strategies
    • Create and review academic goals
    • Create and review sample assessments
    • Create and review study aids
    • Review notetaking strategies
  • Social Skills
    • Discuss and review club and organization opportunities
    • Discuss and review interactions with fellow students
    • Discuss and review school v.s. life balance
  • Independent Living Skills
    • Discuss and review laundry processes
    • Discuss and review campus navigation and safety
    • Review self-advocacy and personal choice

Supported Learning Program FAQ’s

• Are the services provided by the Supported Learning Program customized? All support provided by the Supported Learning Program is customized to meet the needs of each individual student. Overall themes and goals of the program are the same for all students, but approaches and delivery methods will vary based on the needs of each student.
• Do students with disabilities have to enroll in the Supported Learning Program to receive legal accommodations/adjustments? The answer is no, the Supported Learning Program is an outstanding supplemental academic and social enrichment program, but is not required to receive accommodations/adjustments.
• Is there a cost for the Supported Learning Program? Yes, it is a fee-based service. The cost for the Supported Learning Program is added to the cost of attending D&E through the student’s account within the D&E Businesses Office.