Differences Between Services for Students with
Disabilities in High School and College
In high school, services for students with
disabilities are provided under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and IDEA. In college, services are
provided under Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act. Some services, policies, and requirements change from
high school to college due to the differences in these laws and
due to differences in the high school and college environments.
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School districts are responsible for identifying and
evaluating the disability. |
Students are responsible for making their disabilities
known to the disability services provider at the college
and must provide current documentation of their
disability. An IEP or 504 Plan is not sufficient
documentation. Students must pay all costs related to
the evaluation of the disability. |
|
School districts often pay for costs such as personal
attendants, tutoring, and personal auxiliary aids, such
as tape recorders. |
Colleges are responsible for costs involved in providing
essential accommodations based on documentation of
disability, but are not responsible for providing
services of a personal nature, such as remedial
instruction, personal assistance, tutoring, and personal
auxiliary aids (i.e. computers, software, or hearing
aids). |
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The special education teacher acts as a liaison for the
student, teachers, parents and other. |
Instructors will not know about the student’s disability
(if it is a hidden disability) unless the student
chooses to disclose information to the instructors. |
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Teachers may talk with parents about a student’s academic
progress. |
Neither instructors nor the disability services provider
can share information with parents without the written
permission of the student. |
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In general, students are monitored more closely in high
school than they are in college. Students may see
special education teachers and other teachers on a daily
basis. |
Students see instructors just 1-3 times per week.
Students may see the disability services provider only
when specific services are required. |
|
Teachers are often proactive about contact students or
parents if a student appears to have problems of a
personal or academic nature. |
Students are expected to seek out instructors and
other college resources on their own. Instructors
and other personnel will seldom contact students, unless
they are responding to a direct question.
Instructors do not determine appropriate disability
services for students; student must request disability
services from the designated office at the college. |
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There are often many tests, homework assignments, and
other projects throughout the year so students have many
opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge of the
subject.
|
Final grades for courses may be based on just two or
three exams, projects, and/or written assignments.
Students are expected to be self-motivated to study,
even when there are no assignments due soon. |
