Planning for Success College and Postsecondary Options for

Planning for Success: College and Postsecondary Options for Students with Special Needs Renee Goldberg, Ed. D. Educational Options, LLC Needham and Worcester, MA 617. 864. 8864 & 508. 304. 9672 www. optionsined. com

Postsecondary Options v College v Transition programs v Postgraduate year v Work

Types of Colleges v 4 year Public and Private With and Without Dorms v 2 year Community Colleges Private Colleges With and Without Dorms

High School vs. College High School v Schedule: Classes meet daily College v Classes meet 1 to 3 times per week v Given 1 to 4 times per term v Where students live: At home v Recommended v Who makes decisions: Parents v On campus v Students themselves v Tests: Given frequently v Attendance: Required

High School vs. College - 2 High School College v Schedules: Arranged by school v Created by students v Homework: Regularly graded v May be graded v Location of school: Community v Variable, often away

High School vs. College-3 High School College Degree of Freedom: Limited Great Deal Student Responsibility: Limited Great Deal Age of Students: Sm. Range Wide Range

High School vs. College for Students with Learning Issues High School v IDEA & FAPE (IEPs) v Section 504 Modifications in Classroom v Teacher & Parent Directed v Teachers Parents Students Identify College v IDEA Ends with Graduation v Students Must v Self-identify and Request Reasonable Accommodations

Importance of Technology v Students must become proficient during HS v Too difficult to learn new strategies while adjusting to college life and academics v Technology that may be useful: Kurzweil Educational Systems www. kurzweiledu. com Dragon Naturally Speaking www. dragontalk. com Inspiration Software www. inspiration. com v Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic www. rfbd. org

Documentation v Make sure it is current v Usually within 3 years v Check each college; requirements can be different! v Government site: http: //www. ed. gov/print/about/offices/list/ocr/ transition. html v College Example: http: //www. ods. ohiostate. edu/prospective_lddocumentation. asp

Should I Disclose my Disability? When? Pros: v Explaining an uneven academic record v Explaining courses listed in transcript Cons: v Gives colleges a reason to deny admission v You do not have to disclose disability in the admissions process v Wait until enrolled and then sign up with disability services to arrange needed academic accommodations

Types of College Support Services v Comprehensive Services n n n Most support May have separate admissions May have additional fee Often provide 1 to 1 tutoring Much assistive technology available

Types of College Support Services -2 v Support Services n n n Majority of colleges in this category Students need to self-advocate Group workshops and course substitutions available v Basic Services n n Usually limited staff No additional cost Follow laws Additional services not provided

The 4 Year Game Plan v Grade 9 n n Select strong academic program Colleges want to see grades from all 4 years Think about activities and volunteering Keep good records v Grade 10 n n n Make sure classes meet college requirements Keep reading to improve vocabulary

4 Year Game Plan (2) v Grade 11 n n n n Keep up grades Attend college fairs Take preliminary and standardized tests Start on working list Visit some campuses Request recommendations Keep narrowing the choices

4 Year Game Plan (3) v Grade 12 n n n Finalize list Complete personal statement Proofread everything Apply and send in required documents Wait for results Attend accepted student day CELEBRATE!

What to Do About College Visits v When? v With Whom? v How to Arrange?

Educational Options Academic Plan for Success v Know yourself v Self advocate v Work to your potential

Interviews: Questions You May Be Asked v Tell me something about yourself. v What is your favorite book? v Tell me about your academic record. v Do you have any passions?

Questions You May Be Asked-2 v Why do you want to attend _______ College v What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? v What will you contribute to our college or university?

Questions for You to Ask: Be Prepared v I am interested in _____. v What should I know about that program or department? v May I take courses at other campuses? How does that work? v (If disclosing) Are support services for students comprehensive?

Letters of Recommendations v Importance of Resume/Brag Sheet v Request Early from Teachers Who Know You Well.

Application and Financial Aid Information v Common Application http: //app. commonapp. org v Fair Test http: //fairtest. org/ v Scholarship Information http: //www. fastweb. org v Financial aid form www. fafsa. org or http: //www. fafsa. ed. gov/

Postgraduate or 13 th Year v Additional Maturity v Improve academic record v Improve athletic ability

Vocational Programs v Certificate Programs v May be at community colleges or other institutions v For experiential education v Varying length of time

Transition Programs v An additional year or more after high school graduation v Allows additional maturity v Explore careers v Examples

Questions and Answers