Visions of Post-Secondary Education College. Stephanie Gordon & Julie Smith Transition Coordinators

Transcription

1 Visions of Post-Secondary Education College Stephanie Gordon & Julie Smith Transition Coordinators

2 Is College For You? Why am I going to college in the first place? Most students plan to attend college because of career aspirations, the desire to earn financial security, the desire to become independent from their families, and the desire to increase their knowledge base.

3 Is College For You? Students need to ask themselves Why do I want to go to college?

4 Necessary Skills 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 Solid ability to express and communicate ideas and thoughts both orally and in writing Ability to maintain attention for at least one hour

5 Necessary Skills What kind of skills do you need in order to be successful in college? Familiarity with how to use a library and with techniques of research Ability to use a word-processing program, including keyboarding skills Ability to perform basic math skills and use a calculator Understanding of your learning style, including an awareness of your academic strengths and weaknesses Ability to function independently in the academic

6 "What most parents are concerned about is providing the best security for their child. Some see going to a brand-name college as providing that security. We have to shift that thinking. A college that is right for the student is the best form of investment. Gay Pepper, head of college guidance at Greens Farms Academy, a private school in Westport, Conn.

7 High School vs. College No IEP No IDEA, working under ADA and 504 regulations Pay for services Students must self identify

8 High School vs. College IDEA School s responsibility LRE, quality and free L Individualize planning and related services Applies until student graduates or reaches the age of 22 ADA Individual Responsibility Focus on Accommodations Focus on nondiscrimination and hardships No link between federal funds and compliance with the law Transition Services

9 Preparing your son/daughter 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!

10 Preparing your son/daughter 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

11 Self-Advocacy in College College disability offices will only speak with the student The student will need to obtain their accommodations without adult supervision Students will need to explain to their professors exactly what supports they need to be successful. The office of disability will not speak directly with the professors! Students need to learn how to self-advocate so that they can be successful in college or whatever career they choose!

12 By the time they enter the college hunt, many kids have been conditioned to treat the process more as a race than a romance, a test of who comes in first, not what will make them happy Rachel Petrella, a counselor at California's La Jolla Country Day School

13 Factors in Choosing the right College Location Size Programs offered Residential or Commuter Cost of attendance

14 The Application Process Have the materials necessary for application transcript release forms applications personal statement activities sheet Recommendations from teachers For special programs, apply early!!!!!!

15 Personal Statements Personal Statement is done by the student Start working on a draft during Junior year Talk about accommodations student has used Talk about what made the student successful Use examples from CHOICES booklet

16 Special Consideration? 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.

17 Accessing services In order to get accommodations, you need to provide the schools with documentation of the disability Sign off on consent to disclose. Ask Case Manager/Transition Coordinator to send the documents directly to the school. Remember that students files are held by the District for 5 years after graduation.

18 Self Advocacy The student is responsible for bringing the documentation to the professors and explaining their needs Student decides whether or not to disclose STUDENT MUST BE WILLING TO ASK FOR HELP!

19 Services in College 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.

20 FERPA Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Students can access his/her records Prevents a student s record from being shared with faculty, administrators, students, peers, etc. Faculty can not ask for diagnostic information, they can only ask for the needs and accommodations

21 Programs vs. Services 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.

22 Schools with Special Programs (examples) UW Oshkosh (Project Success - LD) 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 (STEP Program) Lincoln (ADHD) also good for LD

23 Schools Specific for Disabilities (examples) Landmark specifically for students with LD or ADHD Beacon specifically for students with LD

24 Disability Friendly Schools (examples) University of Wisconsin - Whitewater University of Illinois University of Wisconsin Madison Purdue DePaul (Chronic Illness Initiative)

25 Technical/Vocational Schools Technical and Vocational Schools usually focus on one area of interest (cooking, cosmetics, computers, automotive) 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

26 Technical/Vocational Schools 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)

27 Apprenticeships An apprenticeship program offers hands-on training in the skills you need to pursue a craft or trade.

28 Jobs for which you can Apprentice: Appliance Technician Baker Cook Exterminator Floral Designer Locksmith Piano repair Roofer.and many, many more. Search for more information.

29 Investigate Apprenticeships What are the requirements for getting into the program? Does it require a high school diploma? A GED? How long does the program last? Do I get paid during the apprenticeship? If so, how much? What kinds of opportunities are there after I complete the program? What jobs will I qualify for and how much will those jobs pay?

30 Certificate Programs Certificate programs provide practical training for a particular occupation or field. These programs have no requirements for general education courses in English, math and so on. These programs can often be completed in one year of study.

31 Sample Certificate Areas Animation Digital Arts Office Technology Computer Technology Culinary Arts Early Childhood Fitness Specialist Paralegal Studies

32 Certificate Options 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.

33 Investigate Certificate Programs What are the requirements to get into the program? How long does it take to finish the program? What jobs would be available to me? What job search support would be available to me?

34 Community College CLC, 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

35 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

36 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, IL

37 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 like your own. David Brooks

38 Choosing the right school Keep the students interest in mind Do not set the student up for failure Apply to reach and safety schools Research/Campus visits Know how student learns and operates

39 Resources CHOICES fair Transition Coordinator Naviance/CareerCruising College and Career Center College Visits/Internet Exploration Financial Aid Nights Heath Center

40 Questions?