Will having and IEP in high school affect me when I go to university?

Question

I have an IEP for Dyslexia/Specific Learning Disabilities/ADHD. I have a good average in all my classes (88%). I want to be a teacher (teaching either French Language Arts, Social Studies, Music/Band, elementary school or Special Ed.). When I apply for university will it matter that will have graduated with an IEP? Will I still be able to have something similar to an IEP in university? Thanks

Answer 1

You can take your IEP with you to college so they can review the types of accommodations you've gotten.  In fact, make sure your school district gave you a full evaluation within 3 years of your graduation, because most schools want current data before making a plan for you.

Colleges and Universities don't have to give you an IEP, but you are covered under Section 504.  So you'd still be able to get extra time on tests, and possibly note takers and extra time on written assignments.  They can't, however, modify your education so much that you can't perform it without those modifications.

check out this site from a univeristy that explains it all:  http://www.tcnj.edu/~technj/2004/transit...

Answer 2

Not sure where you live, but here, there are 2 types of diplomas. You can get a Regents diploma, meaning you passed state tests in all subject areas or did equivalent projects. This is the diploma accepted by colleges. Or, you can get an IEP diploma, meaning you graduated by completing all the goals set for you in your IEP.

Students with IEP's can, however, get a Regent's diploma if they pass all the tests. IEP diplomas are typically given to students with developmental disabilites who will not likely ever be able to pass Regents exams or go to college.

Since you are doing well in school, your IEP shouldn't be an issue. I mean, deaf and blind kids have IEPs and I can't see a college turning them down because of it. If you just need a few things modified, and don't need your assignments to be simplified, it doesn't matter.

Depending on where you go to college, there will probably be a program for students with learning disabilities - it is becoming more and more common. They might provide you with a tutor, or a scribe, or talk to your professors on your behalf about giving you extra time on tests or taking tests in sections. Find out about that as you're applying, and pick your schools accordingly. Good luck!

Answer 3

It shouldn't matter.  Your diiploma itslef shouldn't reflect igt-although it may be possible in your transcript there will be info taht you received special education.

And yes you can get simililar accomodations in college-the college should have something similar to a special services office.

Most colleges are professional and ethical-they will not decline a student with a learning disability because of the IEP because they know that is discrimination.

Answer 4

Having an IEP should not effect your changes to go to university. The only exception is if the grades on your report card are designated as "modified" in some way.. meaning you got your grades, but didn't do the same work as other students because of your IEP. Then you can explain that in your essay or other paperwork, but as long as you basically did the same work with accomodations/ extra help time etc. there should be no difference between your report card and others.

Universities do not follow IEPs there are no IEPs in college, but you can still qualify for accomodations as a person with a disability under 504.

The laws affecting college students with disabilities and the process of obtaining assistive technology in college are completely different from the K-12 world. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is not in effect in higher education. Colleges have no legal responsibility to identify students with disabilities or involve parents in decision making. Parents are often surprised to learn that there are no IEP’s in college.

Rather, in higher education the relevant law is a civil rights law – it protects people with disabilities from discrimination in admission to college and participation in college activities. The two federal laws that provide this protection are Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (originally passed in 1973, with subsequent reauthorizations), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (passed in 1990). The ADA states: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity."

In other words, a disability cannot be grounds for excluding a person from a college, an academic program, a class, a residence hall, or a college activity, if the person is qualified.

Reasonable Accommodations

Under Section 504 and the ADA, colleges must provide – at no cost to the student — “reasonable accommodations” to make their programs accessible to students with disabilities. Examples are scheduling a class in a first floor classroom to accommodate a student who uses a wheelchair, providing sign language interpreters for a student who is deaf, and arranging for extended time on tests for a student who has learning disabilities. In many cases providing an effective assistive technology tool is considered a “reasonable accommodation.” Section 504 and the ADA use the term “auxiliary aids and services” to refer to devices and services that make programs and materials available to people with disabilities.