TTC provides outreach and support to local high school seniors on an IEP/504 plan. TTC is designed to connect high school students with disabilities to DSP&S services. TTC services strives to make the transition from high school to college seamless for students with disabilities.
Services may include:
Please complete the TTC Application on the DSP&S AIM Portal to start the process today!
Transition out of high school to college life can be difficult for any student. It is more so for students with disabilities. The rights previously in place in the K-12 special education system under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ends abruptly with graduation or at the age of 21. A smooth transition from high school to college requires these students to understand the law and build critical self-advocacy skills.
The new system of rights and protections under Section 504 and 508 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and Title 5 of the California Education Code differ radically from the previous system. These laws prohibit discrimination solely on the basis of disability and require a college to provide reasonable accommodations so that a student with a disability has equal opportunity and access to take part in college programs and services. In addition, this new system requires that the individual with the disability take on personal responsibility and self-advocacy to make their requests for support and services. While this is believed to be an important part of the developmental process for college students, it can lead to difficulties for students with disabilities who are used to having the bulk of the procedures related to accommodations handled for them by someone else on their behalf.
| K-12: IEP | k-12: 504 | Community College Academic Accommodation Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Student records are accessible to student and parents | Student records are accessible to student and parents | Any enrolled college student’s records are only accessible to the student (not the parents) |
| Special consideration for behavior problem | Must follow high school behavior code | Must follow college code of conduct; no special consideration |
| District identifies disability | Parent provides documentation of disability | Student responsibility to provide documentation of disability and need for accommodation |
| Success more of a right | No guarantee for student success | No guarantee; student responsible for own success |
| Special education classes | Regular class curriculum with modification | No special education classes; DSP&S office’s role is to accommodate student in college level classes |
| Free evaluation of disability | Parent responsibility | Student responsibility |
| District develops Individual Education Plan (IEP) | Services determined by 504 Plan | Student initiates requests for accommodation needs |
| District ensures that the IEP is implemented | District/parent/student responsible | Student responsible for their own progress |
| Entitled to services identified on IEP | Services determined by 504 Plan | College services are not automatic; each college determines eligibility and services |
| Fundamental modification to the program of study permitted as identified in IEP | Fundamental modification to the program of study permitted as identified in 504 Plan | No Fundamental modifications allowed; Accommodations may not alter the fundamental nature of the course or impose a burden on an institution |
| Teacher advocate | Parent/Student advocate | Student advocates for self |
| Personal services: e.g., transportation, personal attendant, nurse | No personal services provided | No Personal services provided |
Below are some resources and additional information about transitioning from a student with a disability in high school to a student with a disability in college:
For more information, contact the DSP&S office by email at mcdsps1@scccd.edu or by phone at (559) 675-4864 for more information.
