An A-Z Guide to Postsecondary Education

(An Informative Tool for Graduating Seniors and Their Families)

The focus of our second blog installment is student and family preparation for life after high school.  Entrance into the postsecondary education environment can be an exciting and uneasy time for students and their families.  The overreaching goal of this blog is to settle your nerves and address the concerns associated with this transition phase.  We will delve into the meaning of postsecondary Education and its implications for students and their families, provide information on local agencies supporting and serving individuals with disabilities, and examine the importance of family support and influence during this phase of postsecondary life.

Postsecondary Education

a. What is it?

b. How do I get started?

        Take an Interest Inventory

c. Supports

        On campus

        In the community

        My Family and Friends

What is postsecondary education?

After graduating from high school students have the opportunity to continue their education by attending postsecondary schools including:

1. Vocational and Career Schools/Training:

Focuses on specific skills or trades (i.e. culinary, computers, design, etc.) and are similar in size to two- and four-year colleges.

http://www.ftccollege.edu/

Florida Technical College, also located in Jacksonville Florida, believes it is important to assist every graduate in achieving the employment they have worked so hard to accomplish. With specialized career training and professional support, the school is able to assist all students and graduates throughout the transition process beginning with incoming students all throughout graduation. The school considers the specialized support to be a family tradition. By advising students about their future careers and assisting every graduate in obtaining future employment, the school is able to integrate their curriculum to better prepare each individual. Flexible classes are offered as well as low student teacher ratios to boost student success.

http://www.rwm.org/rwm/

RWM provides a database of Private Postsecondary Vocational Schools in 50 states. The RWM database is organized first by state, then by training occupation. Included are private schools that offer certificates, diplomas, associate (junior college) degrees, and bachelor (college) degrees in various Business, Trade and Technical disciplines.

The RWM Vocational School database includes online schools, including information on getting a high school diploma online from online high school. This site can also aid in deciding the best form of postsecondary education or occupation for any person with a disability. No matter what area of interest is desired, the RWM website can provide students and/or parents/guardians, with all the tools and information necessary to set and achieve student goals.

Through training for an in-demand career each person can achieve the education or occupation they desire. Not only can trade school be an investment in your economic future, but it equips you with the skills to obtain a successful career and future. This site makes it easy to find the courses and programs that may help you to achieve your goals. The certification that this site ensures enables potential employers to hire you with confidence.

2. Two- and Four-year Colleges:

        Offer various degrees in one specific area and tend to be smaller in size than universities.

http://www.vc.edu/

Virginia College is a career oriented college also focusing on student success in the occupational world. Through planning seminars and close relationships with the community, the college has ties throughout the country to help students successfully obtain employment. The school also offers flexible class schedules to accommodate for working individuals or those who may have families at home. The career center helps students with reviewing their resumes, teaching interview techniques, counseling for career choice, help with career/job market research, marketing student skills to potential employers and generating job leads.  Through this process, students are able to transition smoothly though their time at the school and into a successful career of their choice.

http://www.fscj.edu/mydegree/disabilities-services/index.php

This link describes the varying accommodations offered for students with disabilities.

http://www.fscj.edu/parent/parent-resources

This link provides information regarding the many resources available to students at the middle and high school level and their parents.

Florida State College of Jacksonville offers many valuable programs for prospective students with disabilities.  They offer pre-college learning experiences for students in 6^th-12^th grade.  These experiences apply to all students in Duval County and ensure that they stay on track in high school and transfer into post-secondary life with ease.  Other programs including the Education Talent Search and the College Reach-Out Program offer services to aid students in post-secondary acclimation, time management skills, and SAT/ACT preparations. 

3. Universities:

        Offer a collection of colleges and are larger in size than a college or career school.

http://www.ju.edu/Pages/default.aspx

Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, is a four year private college which provides students with a variety of tools for success. Through various programs and resources, the school helps prepare students for their chosen careers and for advanced study at the graduate level. The school offers flexible class schedules to accommodate students’ busy lives including night classes for non-traditional students. Jacksonville University creates an environment for students which encourages learning and promotes student success. Through the disability resource center, students with various disabilities may seek accommodations essential in the classroom setting. Upon transition, students may speak with guidance counselors or career specialists for assistance with future goals and graduation information.

http://www.degreedriven.com/search-colleges/?q=32216

Degreedriven.com provides a comprehensive list of colleges and universities in your area.  After designating a location you are presented with contact information, awarded degrees, environment descriptions, campus statistics, and a direct link to each school’s website.

How do I get started?

There are a variety of important points to keep in mind when deciding on your pathway to postsecondary education.  Discussions should be conducted with the student, their family, and appropriate school faculty in order to ensure successful and relevant planning.  These discussions should be framed around admission requirements, performance demands, and expected student outcomes.  It should be noted that some institutions are more "student friendly" than others. 

Preparing for a successful transition into postsecondary educational settings requires that you carefully plan your high school course work to include the necessary college prep courses.  Training in real-life content is also important as you will be asked to perform many everyday tasks in a variety of settings. 

Students and families can work together to facilitate a successful transition into postsecondary education in five key ways:

1. Find a school-based professional who can serve as an advocate for the student to help guide the college search and transition process (i.e. general education or special education teacher, school counselor, etc.)

2. Save a copy of all documentation even though it may become outdated.  The school system will maintain documentation for only a limited time after graduation.

3. Participate in the development of the student's Summary of Performance (SOP) and ensure that all components are filled out as accurately as possible.

4.  Start early in reviewing the documentation requirements of the colleges the student is considering.

5. Meet with the disability service coordinator at all colleges the student visits.  Ask for a written copy of the documentation requirements and any other written information that is available to share with secondary school personnel.

http://www.fldoe.org/bii/studentpro/pdf/DiplomaCriteriaChart.pdf

The student population is diverse.  Each student has differing strengths, interests, areas of need, and goals which alter their perspective of education and future ventures.  Because of this, the Florida Department of Education developed numerous educational paths with varying requirements in an attempt to facilitate greater graduation rates.  Eight primary diploma and/or certificate options are offered in the state of Florida.  This link organizes each of these options in an easy to ready chart and explains the requirements necessary to be awarded them. 

Transition Student Interest Inventory 2.doc

Interest Inventories are self-assessment tools used to help students plan their educational focus and/or career path.  You will be asked to answer questions about your likes and dislikes in and out of the academic environment.  Once you have completed the inventory, share your results with family and appropriate school personnel to determine the steps necessary to meet your goals.  

Campus Support

http://www.unf.edu/oncampustransition/

The Arc Jacksonville and the University of North Florida partnered to create the innovative program known as On Campus Transition (OCT).  Through this program students are able to participate in all aspects of college life including attending classes, joining campus organizations and clubs, and participating in recreational activities developed for all students.  Students are also mentored by their UNF peers academically, socially, and recreationally through the mentoring program.

http://www.unf.edu/drc/

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) at the University of North Florida fosters partnerships between UNF students with disabilities and the UNF community.  Varying accommodative services are provided to students with diagnosed disabilities to ensure all students have equal access to educational opportunities.

Community Services

http://www.hope-haven.org/young-adults-counseling/

This site is amazing for students and adults with disabilities.  This specific link provides information on the agency’s Adult Training Services (ATS).  It talks about the criteria needed to be met to participate in their work programs, lists the different services related to employment and training received through this agency, and what types of ATS they deliver to the individuals within the program.  The bottom of the page has contact information, so if you are interested you can call them directly and gain more information or set up an appointment to meet with the staff.

http://www.goodwilljax.org/

The Goodwill website allows students and their families to get in contact with the local branch in Jacksonville which provides job training, jobs, housing and other community resources for individuals with disabilities.

This video introduces viewers to South West Florida's Goodwill and provides a synopsis of the services that the company provides to individuals with disabilities.

Support of Family and Friends

Understanding the skills that will be required of your child during postsecondary education is essential in order to aid them in their preparation and ensure success in the new environments they will encounter.  The following information can be taken into consideration when creating goals or planning with your child.

Three domains of planning and preparation:

1. Academic, including determining required college preparation classes and identifying   appropriate learning strategies.

2. Career, including identifying job shadowing opportunities and determining appropriate employment opportunities.

3. Personal-social, including self-determination and extracurricular activities.

Skills essential for postsecondary success (self-determination):

1. Problem-solving skills

2. Learning about oneself (and one's disability)

3. Goal setting

4. Self-management

Skills for staying in college and receiving appropriate support:

1. Seeking services available on campus (to all students and just students with disabilities).

2. Forming relationships with professors and instructors

3. Developing support systems on campus with friends, support groups, and the disability services office

4. Developing self-awareness and an understanding of themselves.

Sitlington, P. L., Neubert, D. A., & Clark, G. M. (2010).Transition education and services for students with disabilities. (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.