Transition from High School to College Checklist
Freshman and Sophomore Years
Help parents and students understand that colleges function under a law different than the IDEA legislation.
Explain to parents and students that in college there is no IEP and that services and accommodations provided in high school do NOT automatically continue in college.
Help students learn effective ways to disclose their disability if they want services or accommodations from the school.
Explain to students and parents their legal rights and responsibilities, as well as the college’s legal rights and responsibilities.
Familiarize students and parents with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.
Encourage students and parents to talk with college Disabilities Support Services Offices before graduation.
Encourage students to be active members of their IEP team. Have them lead portions of their team meetings before they graduate from high school.
Junior Year
Connect students with courses that will help them succeed in college.
Help students know their disability, how it affects their learning, and what accommodations are available and will help.
Help students choose appropriate assistive technology to increase their independence and participation in life-enhancing activities.
Refer students to Vocational Rehabilitation in the fall semester of their junior year.
Senior Year
At IEP meetings, highlight things students CAN do, with or without accommodations.
Praise accomplishments. Discuss student needs in terms of being most successful in college or training.
