High School vs. College

High School

• I.D.E.A (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is about success
• Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973

College

• A.D.A. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) is about access
• Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973

High School

• Student is identified by the school and is supported by parents and teachers
• Primary responsibility for arranging accommodations belongs to the school
• Teachers approach you if they believe you need assistance

College

• Student must self-identify to the Office of Accessibility and Inclusion
• Primary responsibility for self-advocacy and arranging accommodations belongs to the student
• Students will need to advocate for their needs and seek out available campus resources

High School

• I.E.P. (Individualized Education Plan) and/or 504 Plan)
• School may assist with testing and screening for determining eligibility
• Documentation focuses on determining eligibility for services based on disabilities as specified by the I.D.E.A.

College

• A High School I.E.P. and Section 504 Plan may provide sufficient information for determining reasonable accommodations
• Documentation from a healthcare provider may be requested to support the provision of accommodations

High School

• In high school, accommodations are written on an "Individualized Education Plan (IEP)" or "504 Plan"

College

• At NPC, accommodations are written on an "Accommodation Notification Letter"

High School

• Parent has access to student records and can participate in the accommodation process
• Parent advocates for student

College

• Parent does not instantly have access to student records
• Student is responsible for advocating for self

High School

• Teachers may modify curriculum
• I.E.P. or 504 plan may include modifications to test format and/or grading
• Tutoring and study support may be a service provided as part of an I.E.P. or 504 plan
• Students' time and assignments are structured by others
• Teachers often take time to remind students of assignments and due dates
• Students may study outside of class as little as 0 to 2 hours a week, and this may be mostly last-minute test preparation

College

• Professors are not required to modify curriculum
• Accommodations for tests (ex: extended time, etc.) are appropriate academic adjustments granted through the accommodations process
• Tutoring does not fall under The Office of Accessibility and Inclusion. Students are encouraged to seek out tutoring resources available to all students, here is a link to those services: Tutoring | Northland Pioneer College, Arizona (npc.edu)
• Students manage their own time and complete assignments independently
• College students are expected to read, save, and consult the course syllabus, which outlines what is expected, when it is due, and how it will be graded
• It is recommended that students’ study at least 2-3 hours per credit hour (i.e., 6-9 hours of study for a 3-credit hour course)