Transcript What is Transition Planning & When Should it Start?

Getting In & Staying In:
College Applications and Coaching for LD Students
Rebecca Field, Ed. M.
Rebecca Field Consulting
Bayhill High School
[email protected]
Director
[email protected]
College Advisor
What is a learning difference?
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A learning difference is a neurological condition that interferes with a person’s
ability to store, process, or produce information. They can affect one’s ability
to read, write, speak, spell, compute math, reason and also affect a person’s
attention, memory, coordination, social skills and emotional maturity.
Common learning differences include:
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Dyslexia – a language-based difference in which a person has trouble with specific language
skills, particularly reading.
Dyscalculia – a mathematical difference in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic
problems and grasping math concepts.
Dysgraphia – a writing difference in which a person finds it hard to form letters, write within a
defined space and express ideas.
Learning differences often run in families.
Attention disorders, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
and learning differences often occur at the same time, but the two disorders
are not the same.
Taken from the Learning Disabilities Association of America
Are you ready?
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Academically
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Executive Function
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GPA and transcript trend
College Prep Curriculum
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Ability to plan
Organization
Self-Regulation
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4 English
3 Math (Algebra 1 & 2,
Geometry). 4 recommended
2 History/Social Science
2 Lab Science, 3 recommended
2 Foreign Language
1 Visual/Performing Art
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Sleep
Personal Hygiene
Medication
Food
Time Management
Questions to Ask Yourself
Can you…
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Articulate your LD
Understand the laws as they pertain to you and your LD
Understand and explain your own documentation
Study on your own and manage your time
Ask for help when you need it – not too late
Understand the unstructured time of college & manage it
Bounce back when you hit a bump
Understand and accept that self-reliance is gradual
Advocate for yourself now as a high school student
Transition from high school
to college is HUGE for all
students but for LD
students it can be even
more overwhelming than
we might guess
So What Can We Do?
1. Understand the Laws
IDEA
(Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act)
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Educational Statute
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Governs K – 12 Education. Schools receive federal funding
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Free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment
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Active parent participation in the IEP (Individual Educational Plan)
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Open and active communication with parents/guardians
K – 12 Education:
Parents are VERY involved
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Participate in the
IEP
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Fight for their
students
Parents also…
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Motivate their
students
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Help teachers
understand
students’ unique
talents
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Ask a lot of
questions
Things change after high school
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Students must self-advocate
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Schools need to provide equal access.
They do not need to modify the
program in any way
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Students are responsible for their
records and for asking for what they
need
ADA
(Americans with Disabilities Act)
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Civil Rights Law
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Governs post high school
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Students are guaranteed EQUAL ACCESS
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No IEPs in college. Modifications are not required
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Students control their records & who can access them
2. Find Appropriate Schools
Determine
appropriate level of support
 Structured, coordinated, or basic
Discuss location & size
Focus on the student’s strengths and interests
Understand the importance of self-advocacy
Always have a Plan A and a Plan B
For students to be successful,
and get what they need in
college, they need to be able to
talk about their learning
difference– their challenges
AND their strengths, i.e. they
need to be able to self-advocate
How can we help students develop their
self-advocacy skills?
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Address instructional needs with the student
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Encourage experiences and expertise outside of the
classroom setting.
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Develop independent living skills: money, transportation,
etc.
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Involve the student
Some Examples
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Make an appointment with the person who assessed the student and
have her/him explain the testing to the student.
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Make sure that the student (not the parent) is talking with teachers
if/when school issues arise.
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Encourage work/internship experience.
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Encourage students to develop and pursue passions. Use summers!
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Allow students to fail sometimes.
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Make sure that students have basic understanding of money, credit,
etc.
How can we help parents?
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Explain WHY self-advocacy is so important
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Help them see the big picture and that small failures are part of a
larger success
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Teach them about the laws so they begin to back-off now
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Acknowledge that LD parents often struggle with even more stress
than parents of neurotypical students
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Remind them that there are over 3,000 colleges in this country and
that if their child prepares and finds the right college match, the
college experience can be life-changing
3. Help with the application
process!
Get Organized!
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Create a file for all college materials
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Does your high school have a profile/questionnaire?
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Begin visiting
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Stay true to your timeline
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Take standardized tests and ask for recommendations
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Use the summer to complete personal statement
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Aim to be “done” by Thanksgiving
Get Accommodations in Place
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SAT/ACT accommodations by end of sophomore year
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Update neuropsychological testing between Junior and
Senior years
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Remember this is the student’s process
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Make sure s/he understands his own learning difference
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Make sure s/he understands the laws
Decide Whether to Disclose
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Is always up to the student
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Advantages
 College understands the student and her needs
 Student feels in control of her information
 Clear and open lines of communication
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Disadvantages
 Thinking, “I won’t get in because of my learning difference.”
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Can be done in numerous ways
 Personal Statement
 Additional Information Section
4. Celebrate With An Understanding
of the Realities
Statistics
(Taken from the National Center for Education Statistics)
2000: 27.3 18-24 year olds
2011: 31.1 million 18–24 year olds
General Population
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67% attend postsecondary programs
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40% attend 4 year college
32% attend 2 year college
52% completion rate
Students with Disabilities
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60% attend postsecondary programs
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19% attend 4-year college
44% attend 2-year college
41% completion rate
To Know About LD
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63% of postsecondary students who were identified in high school as
having LD did NOT consider themselves to have LD when they
transitioned to postsecondary programs
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Of those who did LD identify in high school, only 28% informed
postsecondary schools of their LD
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88% of LD students who DID receive assistance in postsecondary
programs reported the supports as “very” or “somewhat” useful
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43% of postsecondary LD students who did not receive any help
reported that it would have been helpful to receive assistance
The Post High School Outcomes of Adults with Disabilities up to 8 Years After High School
A Report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2)
September 2011
5. Help Students Stay In Successfully
Important Questions to Ask
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What supports are available on campus?
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How can students access these supports?
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What is a College Success & Retention Coach
and when is hiring one a good idea?
Supports on Campus
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Note takers
Extended time on tests
Testing in a quiet environment
Priority Registration
Reduced course load
Access to assistive technology (Kurzweil,
Dragon Naturally Speaking, etc.)
Accessing the Supports
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Update documentation
 Completed after age of 16
 Cognitive and Achievement tests
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Meet with DSS person
 When visiting campus
 After acceptance and before classes begin
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Dear Professor Letter
 At the beginning of each semester/quarter
Self-Advocacy Skills Are Imperative
Success & Retention Coaching
A bridge to independence for those
students who have gotten into college,
want to be successful there, and need
additional personalized support.
How Does It Work?
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Individualized meetings
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Year long contract with the family
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Mutually agreed upon goals
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Clear understanding of need for trust between coach and student
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Meetings to take place on campus, in the office, via phone or Skype
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Clear and consistent communication with student and family
When You Know It’s Working!
Resources
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College Board: www.collegeboard.com
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Parents Education Network: www.parentseducationnetwork.org
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Association on Higher Education and Disability: www.ahead.org
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Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: www.chadd.org
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Great Schools (Learning Disabilities & Difficulties): www.greatschools.org/LD.topic?content=1541
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International Dyslexia Association: www.interdys.org/
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US Autism and Aspergers Association: www.usautism.org/
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Special Needs Directory http://www.specialneedsdirectory.org
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Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome Coalition for Education Networking and Development (AASCEND):
http://www.aascend.net/
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Some helpful resource books: Fiske Guide, K & W Guide to Colleges/Universities for LD Students, Cool Colleges for
B Students, Colleges that Change Lives, Peterson Guides.
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Contact Information
Rebecca Field Consulting
www.rebeccafieldconsulting.com
[email protected]
(510) 816-7755