Visions of Post-Secondary Education

• Julie Smith

Transition Specialist

A Narrow Vision

COLLEGE

A Complete Vision

POST HIGH SCHOOL

Community College

4 Year College

Work

Technical School

Alternative Post-

Secondary

Life Long Learning

2 year College

Apprenticeships

“Once you reach adulthood, the key to success will not be demonstrating teacher-pleasing competence across fields; it will be finding a few things you love, and

then committing yourself passionately to them.”

DAVID BROOKS

Is College the Right Choice?

What kind of skills do you need in order to be successful in college? ◦ Strong self motivation in college prep courses◦ A full scale I.Q. in the average range of

intelligence◦ Solid ability to understand verbal concepts and

symbols and to communicate ideas and thoughts both orally and in writing

◦ Understanding of your learning style, including an awareness of your academic strengths and weaknesses

◦ Ability to function independently in the academic environment

Necessary Skills

High School vs. The Real World IDEA

◦ Schools’ responsibility◦ LRE, quality and free◦ Individualized

Planning and related services

◦ Applies until student graduates of reaches age of 22

◦ Transition services

ADA◦ Individual

Responsibility◦ Focus on

accommodations◦ Focus on

nondiscrimination and undue hardship

◦ No link between federal funds and compliance with the law

No IEP No IDEA, working under ADA and 504

regulations Pay for services Students must self identify

High School vs. The Real World

Understand the disability and needs Understand the student’s strengths and

how he/she learns best What strategies are beneficial Practice becoming a self advocate Know your rights!

Preparing your Students

Encourage student to be active in the IEP process and other decision making situation

Help student identify future goals or desired outcomes

Develop a list of strengths and areas of need

Develop a list of accommodations Understand learning styles

Preparing your Students

For students with disabilities, decision making is complicated by limited choices and the tendency for others to tell the student what to do.

Limitations

Should you disclose? How? ◦ Personal Statement

accommodations student has used what made the student successful examples from CHOICES booklet

Be careful to not “over-disclose” Talk with your counselor and/or Transition

Counselor to discuss how and what to disclose

Disclosure

At most schools you need to meet the admissions requirements to be accepted. After you are accepted you work through the disability support centers to gain accommodations.

Special Consideration?

In order to get accommodations, you need to provide the school or program with documentation of the disability◦ Sign off on consent to disclose◦ Ask Case Manager/Transition Coordinator to send

the documents directly to the school ◦ Private testing?◦ Remember that students files are held by the the

district for 5 years after graduation

Accessing services

Two and Four Year Colleges

Case Management Model – Schools work on an individual basis with students to insure success.

Services Model – School provides appropriate accommodations for students based on their needs.

Programs vs. Services

Decisions regarding the exact accommodations are made on an individual basis.

College selects the services Colleges are not required to provide aides,

services or devices for personal use or study

Requirements for graduation are the same as general population.

Services in College

UW – Oshkosh (Project Success) UW- Whitewater (Project Assist) Southern Illinois University (Achieve

Program) Lynn (Comprehensive Support Program) Loras (Learning Disabilities Program) University of Arizona (SALT Program) U of Indianapolis (BUILD) Vincennes University (STEP) Lincoln College

Schools with Special Programs (examples)

Landmark – specifically for students with LD or ADHD

Beacon – specifically for students with LD

Schools Specific for Disabilities (examples)

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater University of Illinois University of Wisconsin – Madison Purdue University of Arizona

Disability Friendly Schools (examples)

Community Colleges

College of Lake County, Harper, Oakton Offer a variety of programs both technical

and academic All schools have offices for students with

disability Remedial classes are sometimes necessary

Some students will not be eligible for CC coursework

Community College

Vincennes (STEP Program) Lincoln (ADHD) also good for LD Ferris State (some two year programs) Kirkwood

Two Year Colleges with Residential Options

Alternative Post-Secondary

Some programs focus on basic skills review and reinforcement of independent life skills.

usually have their own contained facility or separate facilities on traditional campuses.

strong vocational component. An experiential approach to skill building and

vocational planning leads to non-degree status upon graduation from the program.

These programs are designed to accommodate students whose options may not include traditional college

Alternative Post-Secondary Programs

PACE Program (National Louis) ELSA (Elmhurst College) Career Foundations (Harper College) Personal Success Program (College of Lake

County)

Post Secondary Options (local)

Chapel Haven; Westville, Conn. Lesley College- Threshold Program; Cambridge,

MA Life Development Institute; Phoenix, AZ   Minnesota Life College; Richfield, MN New York Institute of Technology - VIP Program; Riverview School - GROW Program; East

Sandwich, MA Univ. of Alabama - Birmingham; Horizon

Program. Supported School to Work Transition Program,

Lewis and Clark Community College., Godfrey, Il Reach Program, University of Iowa

Post-Secondary Options

A good choice for students with special needs?◦ More “hands on” programs◦ Requirements vary but most require subject

based tests to assess potential for success in the chosen program

◦ Most schools require a similar work ethic and academic component as college

◦ Many do not offer anything more than mandated accommodations

Technical/Vocational Schools

Community College Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are also available through vocational programs that are not taught in a community college, such as through adult education programs or specialized vocational schools. In addition, some high schools offer vocational classes to adults.

Technical and Vocational Certificates

Environmental Technical Institute (ETI) Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Full Sail Flash Point Academy Aveda Institute Pivot Point Academy Cooking and Hospitality Institute of

Chicago (CHIC) ORT Institute

Technical/Vocational Schools (examples)

Summer Programs

Usually held on campus and give students a “feel” for what college is like

Both academic and social components Not always limited to graduating seniors or

students who have been accepted to the college

Summer Programs

College Living Experience (CLE) -The CLE Summer Program Denver, CO

Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Summer College-Prep Program Alpine ADVANTAGE Steamboat Springs, CO

George Washington University - The GW Summer Scholars Washington D.C.

St. Ambrose University - Davenport, IA Curry College -The Learning Academy Milton, MA Landmark School -Preparatory Summer Program Prides

Crossing, MA, South Putney, VT Southern Illinois University -Carbondale, ILOther programs can be found in Naviance

Summer Programs

“Picking a college is like picking a spouse. You don't pick the "top ranked" one, because that has no meaning. You pick the one with

the personality and character that complements your own.”David Brooks

Keep the students interest in mind Do not set the student up for failure Apply to a range of programs Research Campus/Site visits Know how student learns and operates Help the student to make smart decisions

regarding college

Choosing the right program

CHOICES Fair www.postsecondarychoices.org

OPTIONS Fair Transition Coordinator Naviance/CareerCruising College and Career Center College Visits/Internet Exploration Heath Center http://www.heath.gwu.edu Glenbrook Transition Website

www.glenbrooktransition.org

Resources

Questions?