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College Considerations

When considering college ask yourself the following questions:

What are my goals?
What are my career ambitions?
Does the college offer a variety of majors if I change my mind?
Do you need college for the career you are pursuing?

· What learning opportunities do I need?

Making A College Choice

The following considerations should be addressed, depending on the special needs:

Students should be able to discuss their disabilities and needed accommodations.
Make sure the psychological testing is up to date. (This is requirement for many support services at the college level.)
Consider how their disability may affect their social interactions or judgments with peers or employers.
Make contact with the local Division of Rehabilitations Services (DRS) before graduation. DRS offers a variety of services to eligible students such as vocational assessment, job placement, and financial assistance.
Obtain all special testing records before high school graduation.
Make sure the student has good study skills. Consider special study skills classes at the high school, community college or individual tutoring.
Consider how much support or special help the student is receiving. The overall amount of support is significantly less at the college level.
Consider a vocational assessment as a way to amplify present and future goals.
Help students increase independent living skills. (Manage their own checking account, do their own laundry, some cooking, cleaning)
Encourage part time jobs or volunteer positions to improve socialization skills as well as to give a better understanding of work situations and expectations and responsibilities.
Students should be aware of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which indicates the types of accommodations that must be provided at a postsecondary institution. This is different than the mandated services at the high school level.
Get information on special exam arrangements for SAT and /or Act. Options include extended time, readers or cassettes.
MAKE SURE IT IS THE STUDENT’S CHOICE TO ATTEND COLLEGE. It will require high motivation and a good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. It may be more difficult, and take more time to manage college level work.
Try to visit colleges before making a definite choice. Look also at the communities in which they are located.

For students who are Physically Challenged, Visually Impaired or Hearing Impaired they should address the following:

Make sure PT, OT, Audiology, and Visual assessments are current. Only qualified professionals should administer such evaluations.
Obtain all special testing records before high school graduation.
Make contact with the Division Of Rehabilitation before graduation. DRS offers a variety of services to eligible students such as vocational assessment, job placement, and financial assistance.
Consider a vocational assessment as a way to identify present and future goals.
Student should be aware of accommodations needed.
Students should increase independent living skills: utilize the on campus support services to identify potential sources for personal care attendants, interpreters, mobility instructions, wheelchair repair etc.
Encourage students to be their own advocates.
Consult with the high school to get a good understanding of how much support or special help the student is receiving. It is important to determine realistically whether minimal support services or an extensive program at the college level is necessary.

Understanding exactly what services are available at the college of your choice is a very important aspect regarding your decision. This involves knowing who the provider is and how that service /support is accessed.

What Colleges Consider In Selecting Students

Colleges ARE interested in admitting the best students available. Applicants must be prepared to carry out the academic work of the school at the expected level of performance. Institutional research has determined that the student’s high school record (subjects taken, grades, rank in class) is the best predictor of success in college. Scores on admissions tests and counselor’s recommendations are also helpful in determining whether students will be successful. MANY COLLEGES PREFER TO SEE MAINSTREAM COURSES WITH LOWER GRADES THAN SPECIAL EDUCATION COURSES OR BASIC COURSES WITH HIGHER GRADES.

RECOMMENDED GUIDE FOR ACADEMIC PREPARATION

Types of Programs

Academic

Areas

Community College Career Programs,

Vocational Schools

4-Year Colleges and Universities &

Community college

Transfer Programs*

Highly Selective

Colleges and

Universities

English

4-Years

4-Years Emphasis of written and oral

communication and

Literature

4 Years

Mathematics

2 Years

3 Years:

Algebra, Geometry

Algebra 2 &

Trigonometry

4 Years

Recommended through

Calculus

Science

(Laboratory Sciences)

1 to 2 Years

3 Years Recommended

Core Areas:

Biology, Chemistry & Physics

4 years

Recommended Core

Areas: Biology, Chemistry & Physics

Social Science

2 Years

2 to 3 Years Emphasis on History and Government

(requirement varies)

3 to 4 Years

Foreign

Language

None Required

2 Years**

2 to 4 Years

* The chart indicates the recommended course distribution for Illinois public universities; however, some state institutions may permit students to substitute course in one academic area for deficiencies in another area. Illinois public universities may also accept courses in vocational education (applied technology, art, business or home economics) to meet these requirements.

* Foreign language preparation may be recommended or required by colleges and universities.

College Resources

Helpful resources that can be accessed when seeking information regarding colleges that provide services for students with special needs include:

K&W COLLEGES FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

LOVEJOY’S COLLEGE GUIDE FOR THE LEARNING DISABLED

PERTERSON’S GUIDE TO COLLEGES FOR THE LEARNING DISABLED

Local Colleges

Training for specific occupations is available through a variety of sources, community colleges, private vocational schools, apprenticeships, public supported training programs and the on-the-job training. The following list provides a general introduction to the opportunities in the Springfield area, which may be accessed by high school graduates.

The community College System in the State of Illinois is an excellent place for the student with special needs to begin post secondary education. There are three basic options available for the individual to utilize:

Because these institutions are publicly endowed, they are eligible for all federal, state and local governmental funding of support services for students with special needs. Each community college operates a department, which identifies, prescribes and organizes the appropriate services for each individual student. Lincoln Land Community College offers these services to students with special needs.

Linda Chriswell, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd. Springfield, Illinois 62794-9256, 1-800-727-4161 x6-2828 or fax 217-786-2310

In the Springfield area and throughout the country, many vocational schools offer a wide variety of career training programs. Because these schools advertise extensively in the media, some schools have achieved a high level of “name recognition.” Programs vary a great deal on quality, thus parents and students should practice good consumer skills when investigating and contracting for vocational education. This is particularly true for those in need of special support services since the additional trained personnel required to administer these services may cause a cost prohibitive to a private school. Each of the area high schools maintains information on vocational schools.

There are over 210 career schools that indicate they provide accommodations for students with disabilities. Those accredited by NATTS, The National Association of Trade and Technical Schools, receive federal assistance and must comply with programs accessibility requirements contained in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Many schools are training disabled students to meet the changing needs of our country’s competitive job market.

These schools offer vocational training within specific skill areas and the student can obtain information through their high school guidance department.

Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln Land Community College, Robert Morris College, Springfield College In Illinois, Midwest Tech.

· Talk to people who have attended the school and to those who are currently enrolled. Seek out those who received support services

· Visit the school yourself. You can observe such things as composition and age of the student body, equipment, and facilities.

· Check with the Illinois State Board of Education-Vocational Schools Certification Division or a professional accrediting agency.

· Ask for the names of employers of former students, and check with these employers to see how they regard the school.

2. Be certain to read all papers carefully especially those involving cost. Some schools use contracts that obligate you to pay for the whole course even if you don’t complete the program. Schools with this type of contract may not have much to offer in their program.

3. Do not sign any contract or agreement without having thoroughly investigated the school and its credentials; or without comparing the program with that of the community college as well as other vocational schools.

The Illinois Employment and Training Center (IETC) Web Address: http://www.ietc.org,, Network phone: (888) FOR-IETC, Local Center: Karen Wardman, Disability Navigator, The Springfield Employment & Training Center, 1300 South Ninth Street, Springfield, IL 62703, (217) 782-3846, TTY (217) 558-3530 Jacksonville Center: 850 South Main St., Jacksonville, IL. 62650 Phone: (217)245-5148

The Illinois Employment & Training Center (IETC) is a one-stop source, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), to provide employment and training services to job seekers and employers, in cooperation with local educational institutions.

In addition, the center offers a variety of other services, including the following:

The Land of Lincoln Consortium serves as the planning, fiscal, monitoring and administrative entity for federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs. Recently, the Consortium has also become involved in the Welfare-to-Work programs.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA): Programs help low-income and dislocated workers secure employment.

Welfare-to-Work: Programs help Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (formerly AFDC) clients find jobs.

Three main services are coordinated through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). These include the following:

Unemployment Insurance: This is a state-operated program under which individuals are entitled to benefit payments while unemployed. There are certain legal requirements that must be met before payments will be authorized. Benefits are financed solely by employers’ payroll taxes – not by any deductions from employee wages. Claims for unemployment insurance benefits may be registered with the local IDES office on the first working day after unemployment begins. Registration with Illinois Employment Services is required.

Illinois Employment Services: Candidates for unemployment insurance, as well as any individual seeking employment, are provided with a variety of resources to find a job through the Illinois Employment Services. Job listings, counseling and job referral and placement are available.

Apprenticeship Information Center: Detailed information about apprenticeships is available at the IDES center. Staff can assist interested individuals with deciding which trades would best be suitable and will identify when those trade unions will be accepting applications. Up to three apprenticeship applications may be completed at the IDES center.

Career Information System: Designed for high school students, college students and adults. A comprehensive guide to Illinois careers, training programs and schools. Check out the CIS Aid Sort to locate scholarships.

Career Click: Designed for high school students (and middle school students) that want to quickly access information about occupations, wages, employment projections and to view videos of people doing their jobs.

Web Address: http://www.llcc.cc.il.us/stw, Address: 5250 Shepherd Road, P.O. Box 19256, Springfield, IL 62794-9256

School-to-Work refers to a federal act, the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. The funding is intended to implement activities that will do the following:

· Prepare all learners to gain career awareness and make informed career choices

· Set the groundwork of transition from education to careers and life-long learning

Web Address: http://www.commerce.state.il.us, Address: 620 E. Adams, Springfield, IL 62701, Telephone: (217) 782-7500, TDD: (800) 785-6055

The Bureau of Workforce Development is committed to encouraging statewide economic development by cultivating a well-trained workforce. To accomplish this goal, the Bureau identifies youth, adults and dislocated workers who are eligible for assistance under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The Bureau assesses employability skills and provides training for identified sectors of growing employment demand.

The military services provide challenges and offer career-training opportunities for high school graduates. Recruiters from various branches of the military visit high schools to provide information about the benefits and requirements of military enlistment.

Entrance into the armed forces training is based on rigid standards, which include an aptitude test as well as a physical examination. The results of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) determine admission and eligibility for military training programs. It is offered in many high schools or may be taken through arrangements with a local military recruiter. No special testing provisions are available.

In addition to full-time military service, opportunities exist in reserve units, university reserve officer training corps (ROTC) programs and military academies. A variety of educational benefit programs can help finance college educations for members of the military. While the education, training and benefits provided by the military services are excellent, individuals need to be aware that in time of crises, they may be called to serve in active duty.