Transition From High School to College Building Bridges: 1.

1

Transition From High School to College

Building Bridges:

2CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Why Attend College?

Increasing earning powerCareer preparationLearning opportunitiesStudying new and different subjectsInvolvement in extracurricular activitiesMeeting new and interesting peopleAchieving a personal goalInfluence of family and friends

Types of Higher Education Institutions

• Junior or Community College• Technical-Vocational programs

• College (4 year)

• University

Entering college is an adjustment for ANY student (You are not alone!)

College is an achievable goal for students with the skill and determination(1 out of every 11 college students report having a disability)

College is…

• All Colleges want to see you graduate and be successful

• Don’t hesitate to use the help that is available – that is why it exists.

And…

College is different from High School

College admissions or the college application won’t ask if you have a disability……it’s against the law!

Admissions criteria won’t be waived or lowered because you have a disability…..but in order to receive accommodations you must : Disclose your disability:

Contact the disability services office at the college you plan to attend

Describe your disability and how it affects you in school

High School ≠ College

Issue High School CollegeIdentification School StudentAssessment School StudentMaking requests School/Parent StudentAdvocacy School/Parent StudentDecision Making School/Parent StudentTransition Plan School StudentAccommodations School College

8

High School ≠ CollegeHigh school (IDEA) = Education Law:

School is responsible for successCollege (ADAAA) = Civil Rights Law

Student is responsible for success

High School is a TEACHING environment College is a LEARNING environment.

College Provides Access

Getting StartedEven though you graduated from high school, you

haven’t “graduated” from your disability

The challenge is not getting INTO college, but successfully getting out!......take advantage of the supports available!

“I was too embarrassed to use accommodations until I started flunking. Use what they offer you to be successful!”

……………college senior with S.L.D.

What do you think? (Video)

How would you define the word disability? How would you describe your disability?

What is the biggest challenge you face in school or everyday living because of your disability?

What are some creative ways you have solved the challenges presented by your disability?

What are some positive aspects of your disability?http://

www.going-to-college.org/myplace/disability.html

Accommodations

To receive accommodations, you need to:Have a disability.Describe how it impacts you in a school setting. Provide evidence about your disabilityDevelop a reasonable accommodation using this

evidence*

* You will work together with the disability professional at the college to develop a reasonable accommodation plan.

Documentation/Evaluation

Each college has its own requirements about the type of documentation you may need.

Colleges are not required to conduct or pay for an evaluation to document your disability.

Disclosure of Disability

When to Disclose:Prior to EnrollmentAt the time of enrollmentDuring your course of study

*NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS YOU DISCLOSE*

*NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS YOU DISCLOSE*15

You are under no obligation to reveal information about your disability to anyone at anytime.

However, in order to receive accommodations in college you must make those needs known and request accommodations.

Accommodations

Accommodations are intended to level the playing field so you have equal opportunity to access programs, activities and services of the college.

Accommodations will not:• Alter the requirements of a

program, course or test• Guarantee passing grades• Provide an unfair advantage

Examples (of accommodations):• Extra time (tests/assignments)• Tests read• Textbooks on CD or audio format• Copies of notes/note takers• Sign language interpreters• Tests taken in alternate place• Use of assistive technology or

software

Changing Role of Parents

● Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

● Signed Consent Form

● Organization & Encouragement

17

Changing Role of Students

Self-Advocacy● Understand disability● Describe disability● Know your learning style● Know which accommodations

work for you● Communicate needs to college

personnel● Speak up

18

Advocacy Plan (Video)

Be an advocateEffectively communicateWhat are your rights?

http://www.going-to-college.org/myplace/plan.html

Self-Advocacy

The ability to speak and act on behalf of one’s self.The person who cares the most about your rights

is you.Implementing accommodations at college involves

the faculty, student, and disabilities support services office working together.

You are an important part of this communication system!

Be Able to Communicate:

General information about your disabilityAcademic accommodations that have worked for

you in the pastType of academic accommodations you anticipate

needing in collegeHow your disability and other life experiences can

affect your course of study positivelyFocus on your abilities and strengthsMake sure to get a copy of your documentation

(IEP and MDT) before you leave high school.

Top 10 Tips

1. Talk with people who know you best and who have graduated from college (e.g., parents, siblings, teachers).

2. Attend college and university fairs at your high school or in the community.

3. Visit the campuses you are most interested in

4. Visit websites if you aren’t able to visit all of your choices.

5. Contact the admissions office of the college.

Top 10 Tips

6. Talk with Disability Services at the colleges.

7. Disclose your disability

8. Know how you learn

9. Ask for help (Nothing will happen unless you ask!)

10. ADVOCATE for yourself! (YOU are the director of your services!)

Additional Information/Resources….

Going to College:http://www.going-to-college.org/

Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD): http://www.ahead.org/students-parents

WINAHEAD:https://winahead.wordpress.com/

Remember:

• Education is NOT entertainment!

• It’s hard work!

• If college degrees were easy……everyone would have one!

• One thing a college degree says……is that you stick with something until you complete it!

WIN AHEAD

WesternIowa &NebraskaAssociation ofHigherEducationAndDisability

This presentation brought to you by:

Videos courtesy of Going to College: http://www.going-to-college.org/