College Information Night for Parents of

Students with IEPs or 504 Plans

November 18, 2015

School Counselors

Ms. Ann Raffay(Last Names—A-F)Mrs. Amber Gilsdorf (Last Names—G-M)

Ms. Brandi Cooper(Last Names—N-Z)

Intervention Specialists

MJ Burgess, Nathan Evans, Tara Hartshorn, Ryan Schwaiger,

Meghan Strayer, & Grace Waggoner

Director of Student Services

Gwenn Spence

Agenda Advocacy Applying for College Testing

Accommodations Student Rights Beyond High School Types of Post-Secondary Services &

Programs College Representative Panel

Resources Questions

Advocacy

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I

can do something: and because I cannot do everything, I will not

refuse to do something that I can do.”

- Helen Keller

Advocacy: The time to start is…NOW!

Before Leaving High School: Student should attend all IEP/504 meetings

“Nothing about you without you.” Student should be able to understand and

articulate their services & accommodations. Each quarter, student should assess his/her

areas for improvement, set goals, and work with their intervention specialist/teacher to meet these goals.

See Page 2 & 4 of the “Making the Transition from High School to College for Students with

Disabilities” handout.

Before Leaving High School: Students should establish independence in

regard to academic skills. Less supervision & accountability from parents &

teachers

Students should be comfortable speaking with teachers and other adults to ensure services.

Intervention Specialists use resources with the students to assess readiness including Landmark College’s “A Guide to Assessing College Readiness.”

Advocacy: The time to start is…NOW!

See Page 2 & 4 of the “Making the Transition from High School to College for Students with

Disabilities” handout.

Applying for College Testing Accommodations

For students who receive testing accommodations such as extended time, small group testing, etc. for school-based tests through an IEP or 504 Plan, please consider applying for ACT and SAT accommodations.

The testing agencies for SAT (CollegeBoard) and ACT will determine if a student will receive the requested accommodations.

Tip for Parents & Students: Apply as early as possible to allow time for

appeals, if needed. We recommend at least 2-3 weeks prior to

registration deadline.

Go to www.actstudent.org Click on “Students with Disabilities” in the left-hand

column

If your student was previously approved for accommodations, they can register online and indicate that when registering.

Three testing options

Applying for ACT Accommodations

See “Test Accommodations for Examinees with Disabilities” handout

• 1. National Standard Time with Accommodations• No extended time, extra breaks, small group

• To Apply:• Register ONLINE for desired test date by

deadline• Print copy of admission ticket • Complete and print Request for National

Standard Time w/ Accommodations form• Submit admission ticket and National Standard Time

w/ Accommodations form to Mrs. Seidell in the Counseling Office

Applying for ACT Accommodations

• 2. National Extended Time • 50% time extension

• To Apply:• Register ONLINE for desired test date by

deadline• Print copy of admission ticket • Complete and print Request for ACT

Extended Time National Testing• Submit admission ticket and Request for ACT

Extended Time National Testing form to Mrs. Seidell in the Counseling Office

Applying for ACT Accommodations

• 3. Special Testing• Students who need anything beyond 50%

extended time, testing over multiple days, using a computer, etc.)

• To Apply:• Do NOT register online Print copy of

admission ticket • Complete and print Request for ACT Special

Testing.• Submit Request for ACT Special Testing and a

check remitting payment for the exam to Mrs. Seidell in the Counseling Office.

Applying for ACT Accommodations

1. Students and parents will sign the College Board release form at the IEP meeting. The Testing Coordinator will submit your request online to College Board.

2. It may take up to 8 weeks to hear about your request so apply at least three weeks before the registration deadline.

3. Once approved, you will receive a letter in the mail with the student’s SSID number SAVE THIS NUMBER! You can use it each time the student registers for SAT. Accommodations will be given each time a student

tests. No further applications are necessary.

4. To learn more about SAT accommodations please visit this website: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ssd/guidelines/sat

Applying for PSAT, SAT, & AP Accommodations

Mrs. Bobbi SeidellGHS Testing Coordinator

p: (740) 587-8160e: bseidell@granvilleschools.org

Please direct additional questions about applying for

college testing accommodations to:

Student Rights Beyond High School

In High School: IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Governs special education service delivery for schoolchildren ages 3-21 (or until high school graduation). 

Purpose of the IDEA is to ensure that students are successful in the K-12 system.

In College: ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act & Section 504

(Subpart E not subpart D of secondary 504 plans). Only ensures equal access to exisiting programs & services

through nondiscrimination & reasonable accommodations.

Success in college is up to the student!

See Page 1 of the “Making the Transition from High School to College for Students with Disabilities” handout.

How College is Different:Documentation

High School CollegeStudent has an Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan written by a team of professionals in the school district

Students must follow the documentation guidelines set forth by the institution. Neither an IEP or 504 Plan alone is sufficient.

School district completes testing at no cost

Student is responsible for covering costs of testing if what is submitted does not meet the institution’s requirements.

Purpose of documentation: to determine eligibility for services in categories of disability established in IDEA.

Purpose of documentation: to determine the “functional limitations” of the disability and what accommodations are needed to provide access.

High School CollegeSchool district identifies and conducts testing.

Students self-identifies to college disability services office and submits a required documentation or seeks appropriate resources to obtain documentation.

Teachers arrange accommodations and modifications.

Students must notify professors of registration with disability service office and arrange accommodations with professors.

How College is Different:Identifying

High School CollegeTeacher may change test format or length

Professors not required to change test format or length, but may grant reasonable accommodations for taking test (e.g., extended time, distraction-reduced testing environment).

Students may have tutoring assistance written in IEP or 504.

Tutoring may or may not be available, depending on the college.

Student may work with an aide or personal attendant.

Colleges do not provide aides or personal attendants.

How College is Different:Accommodations

High School CollegeParents attend IEP or 504 meeting and has access to student records.

Parents can attend meeting ONLY if student consents and can view records ONLY if student provides written consent.

Parent acts as advocate. Student acts as self-advocate.

Source: National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (www.nsttac.org)

How College is Different:Role of the Parent

Top Three Tips for a Smooth Transition

1. Update testing Update any psycho-educational testing conducted through

the school system or privately. Most colleges require testing to be current within the past three years OR conducted with adult-normed version of the test.

2. Practice self-advocacy Encourage your child to take an active role in his/her IEP

or 504 meetings. Practicing self-advocacy in high school will build the confidence and skills necessary to become an effective self-advocate in college.

3. Establish communication Contact the disability services office at the college your

child will be attending to ask what documentation is required and schedule a meeting with a representative.

Types of Support Programs

Structured Support Programs Most comprehensive programs. Services are highly structured and

students are involved. May require an additional fee. May offer specific course for students with learning disabilities. Provide tutoring and certified staff. Most closely resembles high school experience.

Beacon College (FL) * Mount St. Joseph University (OH) – Project EXCEL

Landmark College (VT) * Muskingum University (OH) – PLUS Program

Notre Dame College (OH)

* These colleges were designed for students who learn differently.

TOPS Program at Nisonger Center (OSU) Offers individuals ages 18 and older with intellectual and

developmental disabilities academic coursework and work experiences while developing independent living skills and participating in campus and community organizations, social activities, and events.

Coordinated Services Usually at least one certified disability specialist.

Require specific documentation of disability. Have some supports for students, but not as structured. Best for learners who took some modified or remedial coursework and utilized accommodations.

Capital University (OH)

Central Ohio Technical College (OH)

Kent State University (OH)

The Ohio State University (and regional campuses as well)

Wright State University (OH)

Xavier University (OH)

Types of Support Programs

Self-Directed Support Services Least comprehensive of the three. Have an ADA

compliant officer. Services requested by students. Can be limited to what accommodations are available. Students who want the comfort of having accommodations available but have not always utilized them in the past may benefit from this type of program.

Bowling Green State University (OH)

Case Western Reserve University (OH)

Elon University (NC)

Ohio University (OH)

University of Toledo (OH)

Types of Support Programs

Resources College Academics Support

http://www.collegeacademicsupport.com

Colleges on a “Block” System http://www.planetbauer.com/colleges.htm

GHS Website: http://

www.granvilleschools.org/FuturePlanningforStudentswithanIEPor504Plan.aspx

Going to College www.going-to-college.org

LD online www.ldonline.org

College Representative Panelists

Marcy RitzertAssociate Director of Admission

Muskingum University

Stacy MuellerProject EXCEL, Director

Mount St. Joseph University

Leia C. SmithCase Manager, Office for Disability Services

COTC and OSU-Newark

Jack CallahanAlumnus

Beacon College

Jessie GreenProgram Manager

TOPS Program @ Nisonger Center

Questions?

Please consider staying for our College Information program immediately following this program at 7:00pm.

Topics covered:- Timeline for college planning

- College search process- College testing—SAT/ACT

- Naviance