Transition from Secondary School to College

When making the decision to move from high school to college students and families should:

Seek information 

• Investigate a variety of institutions of higher education (IHE)
• Review degree offerings of the IHE
           o Do they match the student’s interests?
• What accommodations and services are available?
   Students need to self-advocate. The IHE will not identify students with
   disabilities. Students must identify themselves, their disability, and needs.

IHE may require the following:

• A current evaluation team report (ETR)
• An adult IQ test
• Evidence of a disability; either a medical or psychological report
• Summary of Performance
• The student’s ability to communicate his/her disability and the accommodations 
  he/she received in high school

IHE provide different accommodations and different levels of assistance. Also, some assistance
requires additional fees. Once students graduate from high school, they are no longer entitled to
receive services/accommodations. They must now meet eligibility requirements to receive services/accommodations. These services are determined by the IHE’s Office of Disability Services.

Seek information from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights via their publication:
Students With Disabilities Preparing For Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities (copies available at www.ed.gov/ocr/transition or by calling 1.877.433.7827.

Top Ten Questions to Ask the Office of Disability Services (source: www.LDonline.org)

1. What specific disability documentation is required to access services?
2. How many students are presently being served by the Office of Disability Services?
3. How many staff members work in the Office of Disability Services?
4. How are teaching staff notified of the academic accommodations for a student with a disability?
5. Are there any fees for the services or accommodations?
6. What does the disability specialist recommend that students with disabilities do to prepare for
    higher education?
7. What types off assistive technology are available to students and how do they access this
    technology?
8. What types of tutoring are available for students with disabilities?
9. Does the Office of Disability Services have a list of the accommodations and services available
    at their institution?
10. Are substitute courses available for particular required college courses based on appropriate
    disability documentation?