Building Your College Support Plan Steps towards building
Building Your College Support Plan Steps towards building your college support plan step 1 Consider what you need and what you want in your college experience step 2 Learn what to expect in the college setting step 3 Explore your options for support and assistance step 4 Connect with colleges to get specific information step 5 step 1 Create your plan and put it into action Consider what you need and what you want Before you can build a college support plan, you need to know yourself as a learner and be able to identify your needs and your wants for your college experience. If you’re already well-prepared in this area, you can skip this step. Otherwise, take some time to explore this topic before you begin.
Building Your College Support Plan step 2 Learn what to expect in the college setting There are many differences between disability supports in high school and college. Learning about these differences early on in your college planning process helps you know what to expect and what to look for when you’re exploring your options. High School College Terms Used for Disability Services Disability Support Access Services Special Education Exceptional Children Laws Governing Disability Services I. D. E. A. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act A. D. A. (Americans with Disabilities Act) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Other Relevant Legislation Parents have access to the student’s educational records, including special education documentation Parents do not have access to educational records or disability documentation unless the student provides written consent. Parents communicate directly with school personnel about the student’s disability supports and academic progress School personnel are not allowed to communicate directly with parents about the student’s disability supports or academic progress unless the student provides written consent. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) / Disability Evaluations Buckley Amendment School provides evaluation at no cost Student is required to get an independent evaluation at their own expense School conducts re-evaluations at prescribed intervals Evaluation requirements vary by college and type of disability, but usually I. E. P. / 504 are not accepted as sole documentation of a disability Re-evaluation is usually not required after initial approval, but evaluation used for initial approval must be current Documentation School creates Accommodation Letter School creates I. E. P. or 504 Plan Identifying Students with Disabilities Schools are responsible for identifying students with disabilities Students are responsible for self-identifying to the Disability Services Office Schools are required to serve all students with known disabilities Students are not required to self-identify unless they want to access services Roles & Responsibilities The school personnel and parents bear the primary responsibility for the student’s special education services The student bears the primary responsibility for their own disability services Parents advocate for the student Parents do not usually participate in the process of determining and accessing appropriate supports Parents actively participate in the process of determining and accessing appropriate supports Students advocate for themselves step 2 continues on the next page
Building Your College Support Plan step 2 Learn what to expect in the college setting continue d High School College Purpose / Goal of Disability Support Academic success Equal access Services & Accommodations High schools provide many different instructional modifications, accommodations, and support services Colleges are only required to provide “reasonable accommodations, ” not instructional modifications or support services Have greater flexibility in how they can modify a student’s academic experience and requirements Will not make any modifications that would fundamentally alter a curriculum or a class Other Differences that Impact Students with Disabilities Graduation requirements and curriculum are similar for all students; limited opportunities for specialization or taking classes of interest Graduation requirements and curriculum/courses differ at each college and differ for each major; more options; more opportunities to specialize and take classes of interest High school is a teaching environment, where teachers are responsible for ensuring that students learn College is a learning environment, where students are responsible for their own education Teachers have been trained as educators and have been taught specific teaching methods Teachers may use a variety of instructional methods in class Students spend approximately 30 hours per week in class, and the bulk of learning takes place in class; only some study time is required outside of class Classes usually do not have more than 30 -35 students Teachers often approach a student who they believe needs help in the class Students are usually tested on material that is taught and discussed in class Many assignments are averaged into a final grade (e. g. , homework, quizzes, projects, tests, papers, extra credit, etc. ), which means tests and papers are less impactful in the final grade The level of rigor and the expectations for producing quality work, learning independently, and using critical thinking skills varies, but on average is It’s helpful to keep in mind that significantly lower than in college Professors have been trained as experts in their fields and may never have been taught “how to teach” Many professors primarily lecture (with or without using Power. Point or writing on the board) Students spend approximately 12 -16 hours per week in class, and the bulk of learning takes place outside of class; a lot of study time is required outside of class Classes may have anywhere from 5 to 500+ students Professors expect a student who is struggling in a class to initiate contact and ask for help Students may be tested on assigned reading or material that was never directly addressed in class The final grade for many courses is composed only of a few tests and/or papers, so individual tests may have a much greater impact on the final grade The level of rigor and the expectations for producing quality work, learning independently, and using critical thinking skills is significantly higher than in high school these descriptions are not universal! Although these are common things that many students experience when transitioning from high school to college, every school is different, so your experiences might not match up with all of these.
Building Your College Support Plan step 3 Explore your options for support & assistance A wide variety of options for student support are available at the college level, so it’s helpful to begin by narrowing down what you’re looking for. One way to begin this process is to consider these questions: How much support will you need? What specific services will you need? Then use those answers to guide your exploration of the available options. Comprehensive Programs available only to specific students • Only available at some colleges usually more intensive, individualized, & structured • May charge fees Disability Support Offices available to any student with any type of documented disability General Supports for All Students available to any student usually more generalized and less intensive Extensive variability in what’s available, fees (if applicable), and how to access • Mandated by law; available at every college • Basic services & accommodations • Services offered vary; accommodations can also vary • Often targeted to a specific type of disability
Building Your College Support Plan step Connect with colleges to get specific info 4 Once you’ve considered the level and types of support that will best meet your needs, you can use this knowledge as a starting point to explore specific departments, programs, and resources at the colleges you’re interested in. Student Support Services to Explore This list includes resources that are commonly available at the college level and which may be helpful to include in your college support plan. Keep in mind that not every school offers every type of support, so it’s important to connect with the campuses you’re interested in to confirm what’s available. Subject-Specific Tutoring Transition Assistance Academic Skills Assistance Academic Advising Writing Assistance Living-Learning Communities Public Speaking Skills Assistance Mentoring Research Assistance Academic Coaching Technology Support Referral to Other Resources Assistive Technology Networking Mental Health Counseling Accommodations Career Counseling Health Services Accommodations Commonly Available in College Please note that the accommodations each student is eligible for vary based on their type of disability, specific needs, and the guidelines of the college and disability support office. If you believe an accommodation listed here may be a helpful addition to your college support plan, we recommend asking your disability support office about it when you connect with them. For Tests, Exams, & Quizzes § Extended time (usually time and a half) § Separate, reduceddistraction setting § Breaks during testing sessions § Text-to-speech software (read-aloud) § Speech-to-text software (dictation) § Use of word processor or scribe for written sections § Bubbling assistance / scribe to transfer answers onto Scantron for bubblein sections § Use of spell-checking software § Use of a calculator § Use of scratch paper In-Class & Other § Audio textbooks § Use of laptop/tablet for § taking notes in class § Copy of (or access to) § instructors’ Power. Points, § outlines, or other class § materials § § Permission to audio record § lectures § § Copy of classmate’s notes or peer note-taker Printed copies of electronic materials Enlarged print materials Priority seating Assistive listening devices Interpreters Course substitutions Priority registration
Building Your College Support Plan step 4 Connect with colleges to get specific info continue d Who Provides These Services? At this point in developing your college support plan, you know what you’re looking for – but you also need to find out who provides those services at each college you’re researching. § § Here’s a list of common offices and departments at many colleges that provide the supports and resources you may need to include in your college plan. Admissions Office Other Names for Disability Services Office Access Services Academic Success Tutoring & Academic Skills Centers Accessibility Services Learning Assistance Academic Advising Center Student Services Special Populations § Counseling Center Student Support § Career Center Academic Assistance § Housing Office a. k. a. Campus Living, Residence Life, etc. Special Needs ADA Compliance Types of Tutoring Centers § Library General Tutoring Center § Academic Department Offices for resources specific to that subject area Writing Center § Dean of Students Office Language Lab Math Lab Communications / Public Speaking Lab § Student Organizations related to academic areas, majors, or professional organizations § Comprehensive programs These have different names at each school Where to Start When Connecting with a College Now that you know what services you’re looking for and who might provide them, how do you get started? Here a few places to look when you’re ready to connect with a college. Online § College’s Website § Websites for Individual Offices/Programs § Brochures for Prospective Students Events § Open Houses (On-Campus/Virtual) § Campus Tours (In-Person/Virtual) § College Fairs § New Students Guide § Transition Fairs § College Guides (online or printed) § New Student Orientation Other § Your College Counselor / School Counselor § Talk to an Admissions Representative § Talk to current students you already know
Building Your College Support Plan step 5 Create your plan and put it into action! You have all the building blocks you need to construct your own support plan. Organize the info you’ve collected (using any strategy that works well for you). testing accommodations Map out your plan so you have all the info you’ll need in an easy-to-use format. time and a half bubbling assistance Match up the available supports, services, and resources with what you will need and want in order to thrive in college. time management counseling assistive technology audio books math tutoring academic coaching to-do list app peer mentor writing assistance living-learning community This is just one example of the elements that a student might include in their college support plan. peer support transition network assistance Every student’s plan will include different resources and a different overall level of support. Revisit your plan every so often and consider whether it needs to be updated. If you’re doing well in college, that’s a good sign that it’s meeting your needs!
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