Passing the Torch: Postsecondary Transition for Students with Disabilities

[Joan Azarva]

Passing the Torch: Postsecondary Transition for Students with Disabilities

By Jennifer Hursey, M. Ed.


Transitioning from high school to the workforce, college, technical school, or university is scary and overwhelming for kids with or without learning disabilities. From the day they enter as freshmen "tweens" to the final 180 days of their senior year, high schoolers are faced with the pressure of "what next, how will I get there, how will I make it?" These are not unfamiliar questions, as students become accustomed early to reminders like, "next year in 5th grade your teachers won't be helping you as much with your writing," and "next year in high school you will have to be more responsible for your own materials. "Students with learning disabilities are often able to take comfort in the fact that their (IEP) will travel with them as they transition from grade to grade. These students, who are accustomed to the Individual Education Program (IEP) process, may erroneously believe their IEP will travel with them to college, vocational school, or a job. During a session of the 2009 LDA conference, Edward Martinelli, Ph.D, Director and ADA Coordinator of the Accessibility Services Department at Utah Valley State College, shared his experience working with students with disabilities in a post-secondary setting. Dr. Martinelli emphasized the difficulties he sees students (and also parents) endure transitioning from an IEP-centered high school experience to post-secondary settings. Dr. Martinelli offers some clear guidelines for facilitating a smooth transition. His ideas, along with resources found at the UCLA Mental Health in Schools Program, the Search Institute and LD Online were used to generate the following list:

Know Yourself

If you don't already know the name and description of your specific learning disability and how it effects you, LEARN now and think of specific instances where your disability kept you from learning something you are capable of learning or the LD kept you from showing what you know. It is also helpful to know what helps you work around your LD, like highlighting, extra time, and a quiet space to take tests.

Start Early!

Make a timeline or roadmap at least 2 1/2 years before graduation or completion date. Include goals, like attend University or acquire internship. Be sure to use this document in your Individual Transition Plan. MCPS "is committed to helping every student leave high school prepared for college and the work place," as stated in the MCPS Seven Keys to College Readiness literature, and offers tips about college readiness that begin in kindergarten www.mcps7keys.org

Know the Plan

Participate in the development of the Individual Transition Plan portion of your IEP. Write a bulleted list or narrative stating your transition goals, the services you hope to have after high school and why. Attend all the IEP meetings your junior and senior year.

Know Your Rights

Be informed of how the transition will effect you as student (example: no longer protected by the IDEA
regulations) this website has a very helpful list: http://www.pima.edu/dsr/ADA504Rights.shtml

Know your List

Determine nonnegotiable and negotiable things to look for in schools or jobs, such as, offers student support services on campus, meal-plans, has health benefits, etc.

Start the Search Early

Make short list of 6-10 options your interested in, go see for yourself what is it like, contact or visit the person in charge of disability or student services for more information.

Get Organized

Make a spreadsheet of your options. List the name of the school or job and include the minimum acceptance requirements (tests, gpa); requirements for accommodations, like currency of psychoeducational testing report; name and contact information of disability services coordinator; financial details (tuition cost, financial aid, living cost); due dates for acceptance, housing and financial aid applications; and any other criteria important to you like campus life, sports programs, degrees offered, etc.

Determine Top Choices

What will you need to do to get there? Make a list and do it. Ask teachers, parents, and mentors for support by telling them your plan and asking for help.

Be Okay with Adjusting

It is okay to change your mind about the path you take. Maybe you start off thinking you will go to vocational school and plan for it, but during your senior year your Biology teacher inspires you to pursue a career as a science teacher. It is okay to shift---ask for an IEP meeting to reexamine your transition plan and make changes accordingly. Be sure you know what steps you need to take and do it.

Ask for Help

Parents, IEP team members, mentors, and counselors are often good choices. There are also agencies and nonprofit organizations completely dedicated to helping students with disabilities successfully transition out of high school. The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition where you can find transition-related resources and education-related office contact information for states and territories in the United States. http://www.ncset.org/stateresources/

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Joan's addendum

For excellent FREE postsecondary transition advice from a college Learning Specialist who has also "been there, done that", subscribe to my list at http://www.conquercollegewithld.com