Differences Between High School and College for Students with Disabilities

Accessibility Services

Secondary School

• Education is a right under IDEA and must be provided in an appropriate environment to all individuals.
• School district is responsible to identify a student’s disability.
• School district provides free testing, evaluation, and transportation to program.
• Transition planning and timelines exist to clarify students’ vision, identify programming choices, and coordinate appropriate coursework options.
• School district develop IEP to define educational supports and services under special education.
• No IEP/Special Education in college.
• Access to general curriculum, necessary modifications, and a variety of appropriate accommodations are available.
• Personal services for medical or physical disability are required.
  School year is September to June.
• Main office exists as the center of activity for school.
• Rigid schedule with constant supervision.
• Classes meet daily.
• Attendance is taken.
• Guidance counselors or other staff schedule support services for students.
• Someone is available to help plan study time (teachers, SPED, parents).
• Classes generally held in one building.
• Average class is 35-45 minutes.
• Daily contact with teachers and support staff.
• School responds to parent concerns; parent permission required (until 18 years).
• Student generally live at home.

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Higher Education

• Education is not a right. Students must meet admission criteria defined under ADA as “otherwise qualified” (Access).
• Students must self–identify.
• Student must provide current and appropriate documentation as defined by the college; if documentation from high school is not adequate, student pays for additional testing.
• Students make all coursework selections.
• No IEP/Special Education in college.
• Student is responsible to self –identify and self-disclose and must work with their Disability Services office to determine eligibility and appropriate accommodations.
• No fundamental alterations to the curriculum are made; academic accommodations are provided to students with documented disabilities as defined by ADA.
• No personal services are required(No personal care assistance provided).
• School year is August- December, January-May.
• Students are responsible to know where to locate information, assistance, study support.
• Greater flexibility of scheduling.
• Classes meet weekly not daily.
• Attendance policies are at discretion of instructor.
• Students connect with disability services staff to arrange support services.
• Student responsible for setting and following through on all scheduling and study time.
• Classes are held at many different sites.
• Class times vary from 50 min. – 4 hours.
• Classes meet less frequently, impacting access to instructors and assistance.
• Student is an adult with all decision making authority; parental contact is not permissible without a signed (FERPA).
• Students are responsible for housing, transportation, finances, etc.