Question:

Ms. Harvell,

I am currently a high school senior with a learning disability and plan to graduate in June 2006. My plans are to enter a community college and transfer to a state university after two or more years. My resource teacher is helping me gather information about different community colleges and recently attended one of your trainings. She suggested I ask you for help and some direction. This assignment is part of my research and writing grade in English. Thank you for any ideas you can share with me.

Damien

Answer:

Hi Damien,

What a great assignment! I am impressed that your teacher is encouraging you to participate in planning your transition to what we call “post-secondary education.” In addition, not only are you completing an English assignment and gathering information about your future aspirations, but also you are developing self-determination/self-advocacy skills.

Use the following questions to help gather information:

• What are the differences between your high school and your future community college’s environments, class schedules, expectations, and direct support from teachers? You now live in a protected and supportive environment with a resource teacher, parent and Individual Education Plan (IEP) team back up.

• What is the number of students in your high school resource program, 10, 20, etc? Many community college classrooms may have up to 100 or more!

• How much and what kind of study time is available for each of your community college classes vs. what you have now? Right now, you may be able to work on assignments in a study hall or the resource room for one class period.

• Does your future community college offer the same accommodations written in your Individual Education Plan (IEP), e.g., extra time to rewrite lecture notes, read materials, and use technology like a calculator or spell check? If not, know that many students with learning disabilities who attend community college have a 504 Plan. No idea what that is? Visit this web site with your parents and/or teacher for information on 504 Plans, http://www.dcn-cde.ca.gov/504/504_index.htm.

• How does the community college provide support services when compared to your assistance from your special education resource teacher? I do not know which community college you are considering, however, here is a website with a list of community colleges http:www.cccco.edu/find/alphabetical.htm. Click on this website to find information about the Student Disabilities Support Services Programs.

• How often will your community college teacher provide you feedback on your assignments and grades? Remember, college teachers or professors have a huge number of students and may not be available when you need them!

• What is your learning style (auditory, visual, hands-on, or a combination of two or all three of these)? Well, college teachers typically lecture non-stop and expect students to analyze information on their own. You may have to feel your way through class material unless you get help from the college disability support services center.

• Finally, can you balance your personal life with the academic demands of college? This can be one of the biggest challenges you face! You will now be responsible for managing your time day and night!

I hope I have not scared you with these questions! You will have help from your IEP team as you plan for post-secondary educational options. Remind your IEP team that you need a realistic transition plan that helps you describe:

• Which community college you plan to attend after high school;
• What you need to do now to reach your goal;
• Who the key persons are involved in developing YOUR plan;
• Who will apply and check the transition activities and review your progress with you.

Your resource teacher may want to take a look at a book titled A Timetable for Transition Planning for Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD (Brinckerhoff, McGuire & Shaw, 2002) for ideas on how to help you develop more responsibility for your learning and academic outcomes. It includes ideas from many people who have helped motivate students like you. Please share this resource with your resource teacher.

I wish you the best in your life after high school (and on this assignment)!

Additional website for your teacher, parents, and you:

• http://www.schwablearning.org/pdfs/TimetableTransitions.pdf?date=3-01-05&status=new
• http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/college.planning.LD.html
• http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/ss/disabled/disabled_faq.htm