What the differences between high school and college are for your son or daughter? Do you know how they will be able to receive the support they need when they no longer have a teacher of record?
One of the biggest differences between high school and college that families face is no longer being guaranteed special education services through an IEP (IDEA). If eligible, students can access disability support services in college and have rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. ADA and Section 504 are about an individual’s right to not be discriminated against because of their disability. These laws are more about access to a program or building.
Other differences include:
o There is not a Teacher of Record or Resource Class for support. Support is accessed through the Special Service Programs at each post-secondary school
o IDEA is about the success of a student, ADA and 504 are about access of an individual
o The student must self-disclose they have a disability and provide needed documentation
o The student is the one who must advocate what accommodations they need
o Colleges do not provide modifications to curriculum
Should we look at technical school, a community college or a four year college?
o What does your son or daughter want to do when they graduate?
o What are areas of interest? What type of education is required to work in that field?
o Does class size make a difference? A four year college could have up to 300 students in it and be held in an auditorium versus a classroom setting.
o Are the grades and SAT or ACT scores competitive enough to get into a four year college? Their admissions process is usually more stringent.
o Is another four years of school going to be too stressful?
o Is it better to start at a community college and look into transferring into a four year college later?
o Is cost a factor? Typically technical schools and community colleges are less expensive
College is a very personal decision and classes are very different than in high school. It is never too early to start looking into what is available to students with disabilities at the post-secondary level.
Helpful Links for Making Post Secondary School Decisions:
Career Interest Inventory Websites:
One-Stop Career Centers: www.servicelocator.org
Drive of Your Life Interest Inventory: www.driveofyourlife.org
Work One-Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development: www.in.gov/dwd
How Much College Education is Needed:
Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT): www.dictionary-occupationaltitles.net
Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH): www.bls.gov/OCO/
Advocating Help:
Youthhood: www.youthhood.org
1 / Transition Information | Central Indiana Transition Cadre