Student Experience
Academic Differences
| HIGH SCHOOL | COLLEGE |
| High school personnel have the responsibility to try to modify inappropriate behavior caused by the disability into appropriate behavior. | Students are responsible for their own behavior and inappropriate behavior is not tolerated |
| Tests are often modified, shortened or questions are modified. | Students are expected to take the same tests as all students |
| Shortened or modified assignments, as well as extra time to complete assignments, are often given. | Students are expected to do the same work in the same time frame as all students. |
| Teachers are asked to adapt their teaching mode to the student. | Faculty has academic freedom on delivery, course content, requirements, and method of evaluation. |
| Accommodations are given for all subjects and do not have to be supported by diagnostic evaluation. | Accommodations are given only in the area of disability and must be supported by documentation. |
| Students are scheduled to see Resource personnel on a regular basis or can go to the resource room on a drop-in basis. | Students must initiate requests for services. |
| Students’ studies are directed by special education teachers. | Students must have skills to organize, plan and study independently. |
| Special educators inform instructors about a student’s accommodation needs. | Students talk to their instructors about accommodation needs. |
Legal Differences
| HIGH SCHOOL | COLLEGE |
| Services are provided under IDEA or Section 504, Subpart D. | Services are provided under ADA and Section 504, Subpart E. |
| The IEP is mandated and followed. | The high school IEP ends and there is no IEP at the college level. |
| The student has a right to an education, paid for by the State. Therefore, special programs are created to meet the student’s needs. | A college education is a privilege instead of a right and special programs are not required. |
| Parents are actively involved in planning and decisions. | Students are considered adults and should advocate for themselves. Parents’ involvement should be secondary. |
| Accommodations are provided to ensure the success of the student. | Accommodations are provided to ensure equal access and success is the responsibility of the student. |
| School Districts are responsible for identifying and evaluating the disability at no cost to students or families. | The student must self-identify and provide appropriate and current documentation based on the College’s requirements. The College is not responsible for the cost of evaluations. |
| Parents sign documents for students. | Students sign for themselves. |
| High school personnel talk freely with parents. | The Buckley Amendment requires that the student give written permission to personnel to talk with parents. |
Other Differences
| High School | College |
| Transportation is provided. | Transportation and mobility on campus is the responsibility of the student. |
| Often paraprofessionals are provided if a student needs personal care or behavioral management assistance. | The college is not responsible for providing personal care or behavioral management assistance. |
| Adaptive technology is minimally used. | Students are expected to use available adaptive technology. |
| Few students are exposed to textbooks in alternative formats because special educators clarify reading selections. | Students may be provided texts in alternate formats if their documentation supports this accommodation. |