INFORMATION SHEET
A wide array of postsecondary education options exists for all
students, including students with learning disabilities. As should
all students, students with learning disabilities should find as
much information as possible about each option before making an
enrollment decision. Students with learning disabilities will need
to match accommodative services needed and those provided by a particular
college, university, or training programs. Tours of the campuses
and/or training sites, along with interviews of key faculty and
staff are good information gathering steps.
In order to learn whom to contact to start the information gathering
process, students with learning disabilities should contact their
local LDA chapter. Information can be provided regarding post secondary
education options available in the area.
Four-year colleges and universities
There are hundreds of four-year colleges and universities across
the United States, each having its own distinct personality. Some
four-year institutions are large, enrolling thousands of students
at any one time, while others are quite small. Institutions also
vary by admissions criteria, academic standards, and course offerings.
However, the one thing that all four-year colleges and universities
have in common is the granting of bachelors degrees upon completion
of the degree program. Most programs are structured so that students
can sample courses from various topical areas in their first two
years of enrollment, and then specifically concentrate on courses
related to a declared major in their third and fourth years of study.
Four-year colleges and universities also house graduate and professional
schools. Students interested in studying for a profession that requires
more than a bachelor’s degree will attend a graduate or professional
school in order to earn a master’s, specialist’s, and/or
doctoral degree(s).
Two-year colleges
One of the advantages of two-year colleges is the flexibility that
students have in sampling course offerings. For those who need to
work to remediate certain academic skills, or for those who would
like to sample one or two course offerings in different subject
areas, a two-year college option may be ideal. Students may take
various courses simply to satisfy their interest in gaining basic
information, without pursuing a more detailed path toward a degree
in that subject area. Or, students may take a series of courses
that lead to either an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or an Applied
Science (AAS) degree. Students who earn an AA degree may later transfer
credits to a four-year college or university. Those who have earned
an AAS degree (which is occupation-specific, such as automotive
technician) may be able to transfer some credits earned to a four-year
institution.
There are two different types of two-year colleges – public
community colleges and private junior colleges. Public community
colleges have open admissions policies; students need not have a
high school diploma to attend. These institutions are not residential.
Private junior colleges often require entrance examinations or some
level of equivalent work experience and/or extracurricular activities.
Most are small residential schools; students live on campus or in
the surrounding community. Private junior colleges may have less
flexibility regarding the taking of random course offerings.
Vocational-technical schools and programs
Vocational-technical schools and programs offer education and training
that is specifically targeted to specialized areas within the employment
domain. Career choices may require that students first obtain the
specialized training that these programs offer, before a reasonable
job search can occur. Both public and private institutions house
such programs. Public programs may be found at technical institutes,
public community colleges, and area vocational-technical centers.
Private programs are often called “proprietary programs,”
and may be offered at private, or “proprietary” trade,
technical, and/or business schools. Irregardless of the choice of
attending a public or private program, students can access programs
focusing on different occupational areas. Examples include computer
technician, nurse’s aide, geriatric medical assistant, broadcast
technician, veterinarian assistant, plumbing, air conditioning,
truck driving, barbering, or cosmetology.
Adult education and Continuing education programs
A wide range of course offerings can be found in adult education
programs.Adult/continuing education programs appeal to those who
are studying to take the GED Test; to those who need to improve
basic academic skills; as well as to those who wish to take a course
for self-enrichment.
The Adult Basic Education (ABE) program provides free instruction
in reading, writing, and thinking skills to those who do not yet
have high school diplomas, or to those whose career path is hampered,
due to deficits in basic skills.
The umbrella of adult education also includes a national system
of literacy groups. Trained volunteers individually tutor
students of varying levels of reading literacy.
While adult education courses are hosted by an array of organizations
(county boards of education, various departments of colleges, and
private programs and schools), continuing education programs are
most often housed at colleges and universities. In fact, almost
all public community colleges, private junior colleges, and many
four-year colleges and universities have a continuing education
department or office. There are no admission requirements, as students
do not have to be enrolled at the host college or university to
take continuing education courses. The only requirement may be the
paying of the course fee. Students may take continuing education
courses in order to obtain an advance sense of what a similar college
academic course will be like, to retain certification in specific
fields of study/employment, or for self-enrichment.
Life skills programs
Some students may not have the academic and/or social skills to
attend four-year colleges or universities, two-year colleges, vocational-technical
programs, or adult education programs. Such students may have the
need and desire to increase basic academic skills and knowledge,
but may have an equal need to learn increased social and life management
skills, while also receiving vocational training. A handful of life
skills programs exist throughout the country, offering such training
for independence.
March, 2002
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