| High School
| College
|
| The applicable law is the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act or IDEA
| The applicable law is the Americans with
Disabilities Act or the ADA and Section 504 and 508
of the Rehabilitation Act
|
| IDEA is about success
| The ADA is about access
|
| Fundamental modifications of programs
and curricula are required
| No fundamental modifications are required - only
accommodations
|
| Education is a right and must be
provided in an appropriate environment to all individuals
| Education is not a right - students must
meet certain admission criteria
|
| The school district is responsible
for identifying a student's disability
| Students must self-identify
|
| The school district develops
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to define educational services
| Student must identify needs and request
services - no IEP exists and is not considered sufficient documentation
|
| The school district provides free
evaluations
| The student must obtain evaluations at
his/her own expense
|
| Student is supported by parents and
teachers
| Student is responsible for seeking assistance
from the Disability Services Office
|
| Primary responsibility for arranging
modifications belongs to the school
| Primary responsibility for self-advocacy and
arranging accommodations belongs to the student (who may seek
assistance from Disability Services)
|
| Personal services for medical and
physical disabilities are required (i.e., Personal Care Attendant)
| No personal services are required -
however, the Disability Services Office may assist the student in advertising
for such services
|
| Parent has access to student records
and can participate in the IEP process
| Parent does not have access to student
records without student's written consent
|
| Parent advocates for student
| Student must advocate for self
|
| School year runs from September - June
| School year is divided into 2 semesters: from
September to December and from January to May
|
| Classes meet daily
| Classes meet 1,2,3, or 4 times a week
|
| Classes are generally held in the same
building
| Classes are held in many different sites on
campus
|
| The average length of a class is 35-45
minutes
| Classes vary in length from 50 min to 3 hours
|
| Daily contact with teachers
| Classes meet less frequently which will impact
on access to instructors and assistance
|
| The student needs the parent's permission in
most instances
| The student is an adult and parent permission is
not required
|
| Guidance counselors or other staff schedule
support services for students
| The student must make arrangements for support
services
|
| A main office exists as the center of
activity for the building
| The student is responsible for knowing where to
go to obtain information and assistance
|
| Classes consist of about 30 students
| Classes consist of about 100 students
|
| Teachers often take time to remind you of
assignments and due dates
| Professors expect you to read, save and consult
the course syllabus (outline); this tells the student exactly what is expected
of him/her, when it is due and how it will be graded
|
| High school is paid for by tax dollars that
go to the school district
| The student is responsible for applying for
financial aid or arranging some type of payment |
