Twenty-sixth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate student perceptions of a support program for students belonging to the Palestinian-Arab minority in Israel (PAMI) with learning disabilities and attention deficits (LDs) in a medium-sized college in Israel. Previous research has indicated that PAMI students have difficulty succeeding in Israeli institutions of higher education, in which the population is predominantly Jewish and, Hebrew is the language of instruction. In Israel, few of those entering higher education from the PAMI have been diagnosed with LDs. As research has shown that the provision of support and guidance to higher-education students with LDs is essential, It is reasonable to assume that such assistance is even more critical for PAMI students with learning disabilities. We interviewed twenty-two PAMI students who received support after screening and diagnosis for learning disabilities. The results of the analysis of the interviews indicate significant positive effects of the program but also point to needs that it did not address. The results should inform the development of similar programs.