ACCESS Center

Differences Between High School and College Disability Services

Documentation

 

High School

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or 504 Plan provided at no cost

College

IEP and 504 are not sufficient. Documentation guidelines are provided based on each category of disability, and the evaluation comes at student's own expense.

Self-Advocacy

High School

The student is identified by the school with input from parents and teachers. Teachers will intervene if they believe the student needs accommodations provided. 

College

The student must self-identify to Disability Resource Services and are responsible for initiating the accommodation process. Students are expected to communicate the need for assistance.

Parental Involvement

High School

Parents have access to student records and can be apart of the accommodation process.

College

Parents do not have access to student records without the student's consent, and the student is expected to advocate for self.

Classes and Instructors

High School

Teachers may choose to modify curriculum or assignments. Students are given short reading assignments and class participation is usually satisfactory enough to learn the material.

College

Professors are not required to modify their curriculum or deadlines. Students will be assigned substantial reading assignments that may include information that is not reinforced in the classroom.

Grades and Exams

High School

Modifications to a test format may be available. Testing usually covers small amounts of material frequently with makeup tests available. Students are given numerous reminders of assignments and deadlines.

College

Modifications to an exam format is usually unavailable. Accommodations such as extended time, noise-reduced environment, or enlarged font can be provided with support of professional documentation. Exams are infrequent and cover large quantities of information and make-up exams usually are not an option. The course syllabus identifies when assignments are due because professors often will not provide reminders during class.

Study Skills

High School

Tutors may be part of services provided through an IEP or 504 plan. Minimal study time is required for tests and students can often study the night before or day of the exam.

College

Professors will announce if tutors are available for the class. On average students need to spend about 2-3 hours of studying outside of the classroom for every 1 hour in the classroom. Students need to manage time and study material after each lecture so they do not fall behind. Exams cover too much information to cram into studying a day or two before an exam.