transitioning to post- secondary education denise mcghee, m.ed. eastern new mexico...
TRANSCRIPT
Transitioning to Post-Secondary Education
Denise McGhee, M.Ed.Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell
Barriers to College Success
Diminished support systemInadequate self-advocacy skillsInadequate accommodations
Differences Between K-12 and College
IDEA= Entitlement
Student has RIGHT
to FAPE.
Emphasis on success.
ADA=Eligibility
Attending college is a privilege, students must be eligible.
Emphasis on equal access.
Legal Differences
IDEA
Section 504
ADA
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973Section 504
Mandates that any entity that receives federal funds must provide full access to programs and services for individuals with disabilities.
Colleges and Universities, including private institutions, have been required to provide access and services to students with disabilities since 1973 because of participation in Federal Student Aid programs.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Modeled on the Civil Rights ActAll public services must be fully
accessible to people with disabilities (regardless of participation in federal aid programs).
Provides civil rights through fully inclusive equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
Overseen by the Office of Civil Rights
Laws That Protect Individuals with Disabilities
IDEA Section 504 ADA
Public schools must provide services to students with disabilities
Universities that receive federal funds must be accessible
Public services must be accessible regardless of federal funds
School is responsible for finding students and providing services
Students are responsible for disclosure and requesting services
People are responsible for disclosure and requesting services
WHO IS THE DRIVER?
High SchoolParents/ GuardiansTeachersCounselors
CollegeSTUDENT
REALITY CHECK
Difference between
Special Education Disability Service
Teachers Providers
high school faculty college faculty
Teaching Self-Advocacy Skills is Key!
Student needs to:Speak for themselvesUnderstand their rights and responsibilitiesUnderstand their own strengths and
weaknessesKnow about their disabilityKnow what types of supports will help them
Rights of Students with Disabilities
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs offered at the college/university
Equal opportunity to learn Equal access to information, services, buildings,
and academic learning opportunities Evaluated based on their ability not their
disability Have a right to appeal the institution’s decisions
concerning accommodations
Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities
Meet and maintain the institution’s academic and technical standards
Identify themselves to the Disability Service Office and request accommodations
Provide documentation of disabilityCommunicate with instructors about
accommodationsMonitor own accommodationsFollow University procedures if discrimination
concern arises
Setting up Accommodations
STUDENT MUST: Go to Disability Service Office and
register Provide documentation of disability Explain how disability impacts
learning to counselor/advisor Request services in a timely manner Communicate accommodation
needs with faculty
Documentation Guidelines
CurrentQualified evaluatorAdult NormsVerify nature and extent of disabilityVerify a significant impairment in
functioning
What about the IEP and SOP?
While the IEP provides helpful information, they are NOT, in and of themselves, sufficient documentation to establish disability
The SOP provides useful information, it is NOT sufficient without the original evaluation which determined the diagnosed disability attached
How current does the documentation need to be?
The College is not responsible for paying for new evaluations
Most colleges require assessments to be no more than 3 years old
Providing the student with an updated assessment will be of great benefit
How Parents and Schools Can Prepare Students
Involve students in IEP meetings Provide students with explanations of the type
and purpose of evaluations Involve students in the interpretation of test
results Provide self-advocacy training Provide student with complete re-evaluation
during the senior year Provide student with copies of evaluations
when they exit Visit colleges of interest
Types of Academic Accommodations
Assistive TechnologyTextbooks on CDSign Language InterpreterReader, Scribes, Note-takersOut of class testing
Disability Support Services Will…
Empower studentsProvide accommodationsMonitor discrimination issuesEnsure accessibilityProtect confidentiality
Questions?Questions?