Transcript Teamwork Presentation - Maryland Transitioning Youth

Three Models of Community
College Transition Programs
A Collaborative Process
Presenters
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Linda Schnapp
Assistant Director, Project Access
Howard Community College
Glennis Daniels-Bacchus
Academic/ADA Coordinator
College of Southern Maryland
Suzanne Alexander
Director of Counseling
Wor-Wic Community College
Project Access Merritt Scholars
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Linda Schnapp
Assistant Director, Project Access
Howard Community College
Project Access
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Project Access is designed to significantly
facilitate the transition of high school
students with disabilities into postsecondary
education
Project Access is designed to increase the
success rate and retention of freshman
students with disabilities
Student’s Needs
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Lack of academic preparation
Lack of familiarity with study skills
More complete information about the college
admissions process for students with
disabilities
Academic assessments
More complete information about college
services and reasonable accommodations
Self-identification and self-advocacy training
Qualifications of Students
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Completing ninth-twelfth grade
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Diploma track
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Academic potential
Timeframe of 2012 Summer Institute
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July 9 – August 3, 2012
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Monday – Friday, 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Goals of Project Access
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To improve student’s potential for successful
postsecondary experiences
To accommodate diverse learning styles in a
range of academic settings
To assist students in the establishment of
career goals
Goal One
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Development of a Summer Institute
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Social events on the Howard Community
College campus
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An annual college fair for students with
disabilities
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An annual conference for parents and
professionals
Goal Two
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Providing staff development to college faculty,
staff and students
A study skills course developed to meet the
unique academic needs of students
Goal Three
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Providing a course in career development
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Developing an assistive technology lab
Outcomes
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Approximately 70% of high school graduates
transition to the postsecondary level
The retention rate of Project Access first-year
students on the Howard Community College
campus is higher than that of the general
college population
Transition 101

Glennis Daniels-Bacchus
Academic/ADA Coordinator
College of Southern Maryland
The Transition Process –
When does it begin?
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Elementary to High School
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Adequate Academic Preparation
High School to Post Secondary /Work
Academic Preparation
 Exploration of Transition Options
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2-Year Institution to 4-Year Institution
Short Term Skills Training
 Degree/Career Options
 Transfer
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External Stakeholders
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Parents
Students
Teachers (K-12)
Transition Coordinators
School Psychologists
External Stakeholders (cont)
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Transition Agencies/DORS
Employers
 Necessary
job skills?
 Who is hiring? Etc.
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Parent Groups
 LDA,
Parents Place of Maryland, Partners for
Success Parent Resource Centers
Internal Stakeholders
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Admissions Counselors
Disability Support Services
Faculty
 Emphasis
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on Developmental Faculty
Staff
 Student
Success Center, Residence Life, Dining
Services, etc.
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Career Services
 Internships,
Mentorship, FT/PT Positions
College Transition Team
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Division of Rehabilitation Services
Special Education Coordinators
504 Facilitators
Faculty - Developmental/English and Math
Disability Support Services Staff
Supervising School Psychologist/504
Coordinator
Transition Coordinator
Collaborative Activities between CSM
and the Tri-County School Systems
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Try College For A Day
Annual Transition Breakfast Meeting
Parent Information Night
Transition Seminars
Presentation at LDA and other parent
advocacy group
Work Force Recruitment Program (Summer
Internship)
Transition Conference
Parent Night Agenda
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How is college different from high school
What is ADA & Section 504
Understanding the law
Eligibility vs. entitlement
How to access services
Documentation guidelines
Why is appropriate documentation necessary
Parent Night Agenda (cont)
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Who is responsible for providing
documentation
What is the responsibility of the College of
Southern Maryland
What is the responsibility of the student
Academic Expectations: How to be a success
in College
The admission process for CSM
Financial Aid
Transition Conference for Parents
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Guest speakers from the community:
 DORS
 DDA
 Independence
Now (SSI/SSDI)
 Abilities Network
 UCP of Southern Maryland
 College of Southern Maryland
 The Center for Life Enrichment
 The ARC of Southern Maryland
Transition Conference for Parents (cont)
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Guest speakers from the community:
 Center
for Independent Living
 Pathways
 County Recreation and Parks
 Legal – disability related legal issues
 Local Transit System
 Special Olympics
 Lt. Joseph P Kennedy Institute of Catholic
Charities
 Parents Place of Maryland
Transition Difficulties
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Student
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Independence
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Being Responsible for Obtaining Services
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Academic Preparation
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Change in Accommodations
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Access vs. Success
Transition Difficulties
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Parents
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Letting Go
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Transitioning from IDEA (Entitlement) to ADA
(Eligibility)
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Not understanding policies and procedures related to
Disability Support Services
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Understanding Academic Expectations at the PostSecondary Level
Benefits of Collaboration
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Development of Relationships to aid in the
process
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Consistent message
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Able to Identify potential issues/needs
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Proactive vs. Reactive
Benefits of Collaboration (cont)
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Able to Recognize and Respond to strengths &
weakness of programs and services
Able to Address perceptions regarding higher
education
Outcome = Educated consumer
“Try College for a Day is an excellent program to assist
students with the transition to post-secondary education.
Students who attend this event have an opportunity to meet
with the Student Support Center staff to learn about the
process to receive accommodations in college, who to contact,
documentation that may be required, and the importance of
self-advocacy. Although they hear from the high school staff
the difference between eligibility and entitlement, it seems to
have a greater impact when it comes from the college staff.
The mock registration and classes also provide an
opportunity for students to have a better picture of college
expectations. The students get a better understanding of how
to navigate the college experience on their own. Students in
past years who have attended Try College for a Day have
commented that they felt much more comfortable entering
CSM in the fall than their peers who had not attended this
program. They have said they know where to go for
assistance and what was expected.”
-- Quoted from Dottie Powell, Transition Coordinator for St. Mary’s County Public Schools
Student Responses
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Responses from students when asked:
“Have today's activities helped you to
understand the process of starting college
and your responsibilities in that process?”
after a Try College for a Day Event
“It helped me to know that I have to ask for help on my
own.”
“I now understand the importance of selecting my
course for college and the responsibility of getting my
sections done as soon as possible so I have the most
options.”
“It helped me to know how Independent you have to
be!”
Annual Transition Day
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Suzanne Alexander
Director of Counseling
Wor-Wic Community College
Transitioning from High School
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Annual Transition Day
 Junior/Senior
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high school students
College Jeopardy
Questions