Presentation Transcript

1. The Bridge to Somewhere: Counseling Students With Disabilities Through the College Process

   berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013 WACAC Share, Learn, and Connect Mills College March 26, 2013 Judy Alessandri Learning Specialist/SSD Coordinator Bellarmine College Prep jalessandri@bcp.org 408-537-9246
2. Key Issues to Consider for Students in the Transition to College Difference in Laws (IDEIA-IEP, 504, ADA) Access to Parental Support Different Requirements for Accommodations Understanding Strengths/Weaknesses/Needs AcademicSkills/Developmental Growth/Social Skills Self-Management Skills Self-Advocacy Accommodations for SAT/ACT/AP, College Physical Accessibility and Navigation (physically disabled, vision impaired) Sign Language Interpreter Available berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
3. IEP, 504, and Accommodation plans Differences in application of disability laws for high school and college IEPs do not transition past grade 12 Learning Differences are not the same as Learning Disabilities Documentation must follow college guidelines (each college states their own) berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
4. College: A.D.A & Section 504(Civil Rights Law) Equal Opportunity in All Settings Parents have no rights and cannot access information without student permission Accommodations: No IEP, colleges not obligated to waive courses or other academic requirements Student must self-advocate and disclose Student responsible for costs Records available to support services staff; others must have signed permission from student berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
5. Readiness/independence Academic Prepared for college workload? Eligible for special academic/disability programs? Emotional Ready to leave the supportive home environment? Mental Health, Counseling Issues Self Care Live in a group environment with peers? Self-care? Laundry, cleaning, management of time, money, medication? Conflict resolution? berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
6. Develop “College Prep” Skills Note-Taking Self-Advocacy Effective Time Management Use of Planning and Organization Tools Computer Skills Assistive Technology (as needed) Identify work spaces that will be most efficient and proficient use of time Ensure all high school classes are college prep – most colleges with not accept “resource” or modified classes; meet a-g or specific college requirements Weak executive function skills often derail students more than actual academic difficulties. berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
7. Develop Self-Advocacy Skills Understand and be able to explain strengths, functional limitations, and identification of strategies and resources that will support learning Self-awareness and advocacy are key skills for high school students to develop. High school student needs to begin speaking for himself during meetings and communicate needs to teachersindependently. Identify “essentials” for success: What programs, tutoring supports (hours?), technology (AT?), counseling, coaching have and will be necessary? berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
8. Other Key Considerations Academic load (extended year? Modified, waived, or substituted courses? Quarter, semester, one course designs? Priority scheduling?) Tutorial/Strategies Supports (free or fee-based; hours; assistive tech?) Housing (accessibility; private room; priority) Specialized counseling staff, mental health services, health/medication management Transportation; Accessibility; Orientation/Mobility (vision-impaired) Level of Independence and Initiative; Self-Care; Social skills support? berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
9. College entrance and placement exams: arranging for accommodations College Board Programs: PSAT, SAT, AP Apply at least 7 weeks before first exam – either PSAT or AP Documentation meets guidelines; SSD Code assigned Approval for use of a computer can be challenging Apply in frosh/soph year ACT PLAN (informal; no doc required); ACT (more curriculum based) 3 separate programs: Standard, National Extended, Special Accommodations can be a challenge for high ability LD Apply at least 7 weeks before first exam berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
10. CB/ACT: My Impressions – Pros College Board PSAT, SAT, AP Assigns SSD Code Easy online system Covers all CB published exams More “friendly” for high ability LD/ADD Student must have plan and used accommodations for at least 4 school months. ACT More time options Multiple days Self-paced Longer test window Seems “more friendly” for medical/physical Special Testing (no writing) is available at any time berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
11. CB/ACT: My Impressions – Cons College Board *Fewer accommodation options *Shorter test window *Tougher to get computer *Must sit for all test time *AP exams can be tricky to schedule/arrange proctors *West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy – will not accept extended time scores = “disqualifying” ACT *3 different application processes *Less “friendly” for high ability LD/ADD *Must reapply each time (though streamlined) *Longer history for accommodations expected; except medical/physical. *West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy – will not accept extended time scores = “disqualifying” berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
12. Types of College Support Programs: Level of Support Structured Programs Coordinated Services Basic Service Programs berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
13. Structured Programs Comprehensive – significant support May be required to sign contract Can be significant program participation fee May have separate admission process Services May Include: Staff Trained in Learning Disabilities Special Orientation Programs Curriculum Modifications Assistance with Advocacy Academic Monitoring and Counseling Faculty training/awareness Alternative Programming berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
14. Coordinated Services Moderate Level of Support Has specialized counselor or disability specialist to coordinate/advise Services May Include: Learning Strategies Instruction Counseling Tutoring Assistance With Advocacy berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
15. Basic Service Programs These programs provide the minimum amount of support necessary in order to comply with the law. Access is highly dependent on school’s allocation and priority for these resources and program coordinator. berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
16. The Right Match? Structured Programs work best for students who need close monitoring and high levels of support. Coordinated Programs work best for students who want to be “mainstreamed” but know they will need support. Basic Service Programs work best for the highly motivated, independent self-advocatorswith common accommodations. berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
17. Campus Resources to consider Tutoring/Learning Supports and Centers (i.e. Math, Writing, Trio) Career Counseling Centers Mental Health Counseling Peer Mentoring Programs Social Skills Training/Support Academic Advising Centers Health Centers Orientation/Mobility for vision-impaired Accessibility for physical, hearing impaired? berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
18. Successful Transition to College Current documentation (aligned with college guidelines) Fluent in describing disability and support needs independently (without parents) Realize that learning programs will communicate only with students, not parents Consider level of support available before committing to a college Arrange for all supports and accommodations before classes begin berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
19. SPECIAL PROGRAMS - Examples LD/ADD Only Colleges Beacon College Landmark College Autism Spectrum Support Programs College Living Experience (CLE) College Internship Program (CIP) Colleges with special Autism Support Programs http://www.collegeautismspectrum.com/collegeprograms.html http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2011/05/25/10-impressive-special-college-programs-for-students-with-autism/ berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
20. Structured/Coordinated Programs: Some Examples The University of Arizona (SALT) Mitchell College Learning Resource Center University of Denver Learning Effectiveness Program Lynn University Institute for Achievement and Learning  McDaniel College Academic Skills Program Curry College Program for Advancement of Learning(PAL) Dean College Personal Learning Services Mount Ida College Learning Opportunities Program Northeastern University Learning Disabilities Program Fairleigh Dickinson University Regional Center for College Students with Learning Disabilities Adelphi University Learning Disabilities Program Dowling College Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities Hofstra University Program for Academic Learning Skills(PALS) berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
21. Structured/Coordinated Additional examples Iona College The College Assistance Program ManhattanvilleCollege Higher Education Learning Program(HELP) Marist College Learning Disabilities Support Program Marymount Manhattan College Program for Academic Success) Rochester Institute of Technology Structured Monitoring Program (any student; no doc disability required) MercyhurstCollege Learning Differences Program(LD) American University Learning Services Program for Freshmen with LD Marshall University Higher Education for Learning Problems(H.E.L.P.) West Virginia Wesleyan College Lindamood-Bell® Learning Program berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013
22. Books and articles Consult LDOnline(www.ldonlineorg) for helpful advice in preparing students with disabilities for college Many books and articles are written on topics related to ADHD, LD, Executive Function, Asperger’s, Social Skills geared toward supporting students in the college setting (for parent, student, or educator audiences) Jonathan Mooney has a great personal story and several publications – including Learning Outside the Lines - google search him There are a few guides for colleges related to disability services; warning – the information may be outdated – personnel/funding changes College Success for Students with Physical Disabilities berkeley college counseling program 1/25/2013