Most students who attend public school graduate on or around the time they turn 18 and earn either a diploma or certificate of completion. Our students with IEPs have additional options. They include graduating with their class, pursuing an alternate pathway to a diploma, and post-secondary (also known as inclusive post-secondary education program).
Some are able to graduate at the same time as their classmates, and receive a high school diploma. At this point, the IEP mostly ends. Colleges and universities are required to provide accommodations, but not to assess, write or implement goals, and to provide special education services. There are no IEPs or 504 plans in college, as IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) does not apply to students once they graduate from high school.
A certification of completion can only bolster your child’s ability to attend college. Its importance cannot be understated.
Collegiate students with disabilities still have protections from discrimination while attending college. They retain the right to receive accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. While it is no longer called a 504 plan and the student will have to request accommodations from the school, any school receiving federal funds must provide the necessary accommodations. If possible, the student should have documentation of their disability, whether it is a current psychoeducational report or evaluation, or a note or report from their doctor. The school can let you know if they need additional information.
Colleges and universities in California have offices to support students with disabilities and can make a huge difference for the student. With Leigh’s son, they provided a quiet place for him to take tests, occasionally advocated on his behalf with teachers, and were an invaluable source of guidance and support. That office can make a huge difference, and students with disabilities should get to know the office and ask for help when needed.
If the student needs additional support, there are two other agencies that can help. The California Department of Rehabilitation can fund some schooling options, and job training. California also has Regional Centers to help clients with higher support needs. If the student is a Regional Center client, they can receive adult services after they graduate high school.
More on alternate pathways to a diploma and district post-secondary options in future posts. What is an inclusive post-secondary education program?
Inclusive Postsecondary Education is also referred to as Inclusive Higher Education. These are programs that provide access to people with intellectual disabilities to postsecondary education.
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As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.