Differences between High School/College for Students with Disabilities
High School
- IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
- Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- IDEA ensures success; students entitled to services
- IEP (Individual Education Plan) and/or 504 plan
- School provides evaluation at no cost to student
- School retests over time
- Student is identified by the school and is supported by parents and teachers
- Primary responsibility for arranging accommodations belongs to the school
- Teachers approach the student if they believe assistance is needed
- Parent has access to student records and can participate in the accommodations process
- Parent advocates for student
- School seeks out students and reminds/creates/coordinates additional resources as needed
- Primary responsibility for accommodations belongs to the school
- Teachers may modify curriculum and/or alter curriculum pace of assignments
- Teachers prompt students about grades assignments, and due dates
- Student is expected to complete assignments that are then discussed and often re-taught in class
- Attendance is legally mandated
- IEP. or 504 plan may include modifications to test format and/or grading
- Teachers often take time to remind students of assignments and due dates
College
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
- Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- ADA ensures equal access; protects from discrimination
- Documentation guidelines specify information needed for each category (IEP/504 Plan alone is insufficient)
- Student must obtain evaluation at own expense
- Additional accommodations and/or a change in the impact of the disability may warrant additional documentation
- Student must self-identify to the Support Services office
- Primary responsibility for self-advocacy and requesting accommodations belongs to the student
- Professors are usually open and helpful, but most expect students to initiate contact if assistance is needed
- Parent does not have access to student records without student’s written consent
- Student advocates for self
- Support Services determines eligibility for reasonable accommodations under the ADA and Section 504 upon request from student
- Support Services does not duplicate resources found elsewhere on campus; refers students to resources as students identify potential need
- Instructors are not required to modify design or alter assignment deadlines
- Student must monitor own progress and manage their time
- Student is responsible for substantial amounts of homework which may not be directly addressed in class
- Attendance is the student’s responsibility; student accepts consequences of non-attendance
- Grading and test format changes (i.e. multiple choice vs. essay) may not be available; accommodations on how tests are given (extended time, test proctors) are available when supported by disability documentation
- Instructors expect students to read, save, and consult the course syllabus, which spells out exactly what is expected, when things are due, and how the student will be graded
CONNECT WITH US
Gloria Leak
Student Support and Disability Services Coordinator
Administration (Building 003), Room 128A
Phone: (252) 527-6223, ext. 331
Fax: (252) 233-6899
Email: glleak92@lenoircc.edu