Learning Differences and the varied levels of student accommodations offered by colleges.
POINT 1: Colleges do not have the same legal obligations as high schools. They do not fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA) but only the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA) Although a college is not required to give a student specific academic support, it is required to provide a specific accommodation if evidence of such need is provided. Therefore, your student must register as a student with disabilities to get accommodations. Such registration involves separate applications unique to each college and is usually available on its website.
POINT 2: Different colleges offer different levels of support. Most colleges offer minimal support as required by federal law. Such accommodations include extended time on tests, large print material, and specific audio software. However, there is no additional advising, monitoring or support. These most basic structures of accommodations work effectively with high school students who have excelled in high school. The next level of colleges with moderate support may provide tutoring and remediation when needed. Additional advising is usually provided by learning disability staff; curriculum utilizing this support is most helpful for students who are challenged by the transitions to college. The maximum support is offered by colleges maintaining services which offer extensive monitoring, counseling and advising, so much so that an additional fee may be charged. These colleges are committed to a mission that focuses on the intellectual and emotional needs of the eligible student.
POINT 3: Research the spectrum of colleges that are highly-ranked as good for students with learning disabilities along certain criteria. Depending on the student need, different combinations of support include counselor meetings, tutoring, coordinated curriculums, learning specialists, transitional programs, and notetakers. On one end of the spectrum, schools like the University of Arizona’s SALT program offer maximum support within a large university experience. Smaller colleges like Curry College offer curriculum focusing on learning strategies and a more intimate campus community. And finally, Landmark College is a two-year school with faculty who understand learning differences and help students transition to four-year colleges. Landmark also offers a program for high school students to prepare them for success at other colleges and universities.
College Mindful 