Transitioning from High School

K-12 vs. College

K-12 Higher Education
  1. Students with disabilities are covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This act requires an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) which leads a student to academic success while taking into account their special needs. This may include special education classes.
  1. Students with disabilities are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Special education classes are not a part of many college curricula. All students must meet the essential requirements of the program of study, but are allowed reasonable accommodations
  1. The IEP process requires parental involvement.
  1. Federal privacy laws (FERPA) prohibit information regarding students, including academic progress, without written permission from the student.
  1. The school has the responsibility to identify and locate underserved disabled children. The cost of assessments is provided by the school district.
  1. Colleges have no obligation to identify students with disabilities. The college is not required to pay for assessments, and in that case, the student assumes the cost of testing or diagnosis. A student must self identify and provide documentation of a disability to receive services.
  1. Students with disabilities may have appropriate modifications regarding course work. The IEP may reflect certain goals, effort or improvement.
  1. The College is not required to make fundamental alterations which change the nature of or modifies a course, or program of study. Appropriate and reasonable accommodations are determined based on the documentation received.