1. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. A Planning Guide for Students with Disabilities Transitioning from High School to Community College

2. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education Agency. The materials found on this website are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the Texas Education Agency, except under the following conditions: 1)Texas public school districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the districts’ and schools’ educational use without obtaining permission from the Texas Education Agency; 2) Residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for individual personal use only without obtaining written permission of the Texas Education Agency; 3) Any portion reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety and remain unedited, unaltered and unchanged in any way; 4) No monetary charge can be made for the reproduced materials or any document containing them; however, a reasonable charge to cover only the cost of reproduction and distribution may be charged. Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or non-educational, located outside the state of Texas MUST obtain written approval from the Texas Education Agency and will be required to enter into a license agreement that may involve the payment of a licensing fee or a royalty fee.

3. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Is a Community College Degree the Right Choice? For some, a community college degree is the right pathway  Does your career goal require an Associate’s degree?  Is the potential overall cost of tuition reasonable?  Do you have the academic ability to pursue an Associate’s degree?  Will academic accommodations and strategies help you succeed in the community college?

4. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Develop a Realistic Educational Goal Establish an appropriate educational goal  Does an Associate’s degree and major have value for you?  Will the degree plan and major lead to gainful employment?  Does the educational program provide the necessary training?  Have you researched the job outlook for your career goal?

5. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Advantages of a Two-Year College Community college tuition is less expensive than a four- year college  Public community colleges are less expensive than private colleges or technical schools The open enrollment system is non-competitive and inclusive admission  Community college is usually within commuting distance Course schedule flexibility  There are day-time, evening, weekend, and online courses available

6. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Academic Accommodations The focus is always on equal access:  Classroom accommodations  Testing accommodations  Access to online, blended, and hybrid classes  Access to all community college activities

7. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Any student with a documented disability  Based on definition in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990  Mental or physical impairment  A record of impairment  Regarded as having an impairment  Substantial limits in one or more major life activities

8. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Mobility Psychiatric Orthopedic Deaf or hard of hearing Vision Learning Speech Neurological Other health-related disabilities

9. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Self-identify Provide documentation of their disability or disabilities Request academic accommodations each semester

10. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. In a community college, students with disabilities must “climb into the driver’s seat” and take control. Students are responsible for-  Class registration and scheduling  Disability documentation  Accommodations requests  Service adjustment requests  Assistive technology needs  Sign language interpreter requests  School retention up through graduation

11. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Do  Self-disclose and apply for disability services  Present disability documentation to the disability services office at your community college  Note the difference between modifications and accommodations  Prepare to speak to instructors about your academic accommodations  Be a self-advocate  Prepare to follow the same rules and procedures as all students

12. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. High SchoolCommunity College Mandatory and usually freeVoluntary and there is a tuition payment every semester Your time is structured by othersYou manage your own time Activities require permissionYou decide whether to pursue activities Parents and teachers remind you of responsibilities You must be in control of your responsibilities Classes are arranged for youYou arrange your own classes Classes usually have no more than 35 students Classes may have 50 students or more Teachers traditionally provide remindersInstructors place the responsibility on you Teachers may provide information about missed assignments Instructors place responsibility on you for missed assignments Makeup tests are often availableMakeup tests are seldom an option

13. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. No modifications to-  Course objectives  Homework  Class format  Tests/quizzes (formats can be modified) No one-on-one instruction No parental updates No Individualized Education Program or annual review

14. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. FERPA – Family Educational Right & Privacy Act of 1974  student responsible at age 18 or older  or attending a community college No parental involvement without student permission Parents can’t access any information about student’s records, appointments, etc. No discussion with parents or others without student written consent (Even then, discussion is usually limited)

15. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act  Free and appropriate public education  Least restrictive environment  Includes special education and related services  Children requiring special education services until age 21 or graduation  IDEA governs special education services 504 – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990  Ensures that persons with disabilities are not denied access  Prevents discrimination solely on the basis of disability  Does not require a student to need special education to qualify

16. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. 504(e) – Section 504(e) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973  Prevents discrimination under any academic, research, occupational training, housing, health insurance, counseling, financial aid, physical education, athletics, recreation, transportation, other extracurricular, or other postsecondary education aid, benefits, or services. ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990  Ensures that persons with disabilities are not denied access  Prevents discrimination solely on the basis of disability  Focus is on equal access, not student success

17. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Academic accommodations are determined: On an individual basis On an as needed basis Based on documentation provided by student For the purpose of equal access to programs and activities

18. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Special testing arrangements Special seating arrangements Use of recorder for lectures Use of computer for written assignments & exams Note takers Readers/scribes Tardiness leniency Medical absence leniency Copies of lecture presentations Food or drink in class Frequent breaks Extra time on tests and quizzes No deduction for spelling or grammatical errors

19. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Personal attendants Personal devices or equipment Special classes Transportation Mastery level of course content Modification of curriculum

20. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. In a community college, you must be prepared to be your own advocate:  Be able to articulate the nature of your disability  Be prepared to describe how your disability limits your academic performance  Be prepared to describe how the academic accommodations impact those limitations  Talk with instructors early in the semester  Talk openly with your disability services counselor or advisor  Know where to go for support  Plan for your future

21. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. Yes, a Community College Degree Can Lead to a Four Year College or University A Community College Associate’s Degree Offers a Path of Transition to a Four-Year University An Associate’s degree is a strategy for-  improving academic performance  improving competitiveness  preparing emotionally for a four-year university  transferring into a four-year university (an option for admission)