Jori Pace

English 2010

Professor Reece

November 18, 2014

Research Paper Rough Draft

Transitioning Students with Learning Disabilities

            The definition of Learning Disability: “A disorder found in children of normal intelligence who have difficulties in learning specific skills.” The topic I chose to research about is helping students with any kind of learning disability, transition more easily when it comes to moving on to higher education. I see this as something that should be majorly focused on. In this world and in our economy, there is a high demand for an education and a degree in something in order to get a job. School is not an easy thing and I think everyone would agree with that. Now think of the people who have learning disabilities such as A.D.D., A.D.H.D., Autism, and other types of Learning Disabilities. For them Learning is even more difficult their attention span can be very short, and no matter how hard they try to focus, things for them are still difficult. My argument is that everyone deserves a fair chance at an education, and all the resources should be available to all students, even the ones who struggle learning. The question is what is being done to help these students transition, and how can teacher administrators and counselors better help them?

            In my first article of research it talks about nine different strategies to help students transition into a college setting. It gives them step by step information on what they need to do right when they apply to a university, so they can get some extra help. My question is: What do Students with Learning Disabilities need to do in order to continue on with their education.

            In the article it list nine different steps that could take place in a high school setting to help which are: 1. “Educate IEP Team members and Special Education Faculty.” Teachers and other faculty members need to be educated so they can know what to do and how to help the students prepare for their upcoming college applications. 2. “Reach out to families.” Parents too need to know what they should be doing to help prepare their child for their college experience. Many parents make assumptions and may think that there is no aid or help for their child but they need to be educated on what is out there that can help their child. 3. “Encourage Students’ Future Independence.” Colleges are not required to give students with learning disabilities every accommodation that they have received in the past. It is important to inform the students that things will be different and reassure them that they can still succeed in their education. 4. “Teach Students to Use Assistive Technology.” Coming into College myself I realized that most all my homework for my classes involves a computer or going online. Teachers need to make sure that they are teaching their students how to use a computer so they can easily figure out how to do their homework and assignments online. 5. “Give Students the Documentation They Need.” Students need to provide the correct information when they are applying for college. It is helpful if the students IEP team in high school is prepared and helps them get all the paperwork ready to go. It is a good idea for them to be prepared with as much information they can get, that way no matter what the College is requiring they have all the paperwork they need. 6. “Educate Students About their Disabilities and Strengths.” Colleges require the students themselves to apply for and ask for assistance with their school work. They need to know what their strengths and weaknesses are. Students with Learning Disabilities need to know about what they struggle with in order to know what they need to focus most on to succeed in their school work. 7. “Explicitly Teach Learning and Organizational Strategies.” People who have a Learning Disability such as A.D.D. have trouble focusing and organizing their thoughts. They need to be taught organizational skills and other skills as well like; Note taking, test preparation, and time management skills. Teaching them that will make their studies a lot easier. 8. “Ensure That Students Are Prepared to Apply for Accommodations at College.” Students are required to apply for help themselves, so they need to know what they need to do. When applying for help the students need to explain their disability and what they struggle with so they can ask for specific help and see if it is available. 9. “Create a Districtwide Transition Program.” This is where schools can help their students the most with their learning disability. If they have a good program that is organized to help the students efficiently then they will be prepared for their upcoming college experience and will have an easier time transitioning.

Hamblet, Elizabeth C. "Nine Strategies To Improve College Transition Planning For Students With Disabilities." Teaching Exceptional Children 46.3 (2014): 53-59. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Dec. 2014.

This entire article was very informative and I found it to be a very reliable source and an excellent idea for schools to keep these steps in mind. If schools would use these strategies for their students then they will most definitely be prepared to further their education. People might think that if someone has a hard time learning then they need to keep everything simple for them, but the opposite needs to happen. They need to be challenged so that they can improve and move on to higher education. These are all really good ideas that teachers can apply in their classrooms to help the students out. Also if a person with a learning disability uses these suggestions and tips, they can help learning come more easily to them.

            Like anyone else learning something new, it is easier If they have an example to follow. School counselors would be a good example of this. In the article “Assisting Students with Learning Disabilities Transitioning to College: What School Counselors Should Know” it says  “School counselors can play important roles as advocates, collaborators, and direct service providers.” School counselors can play a huge part in influencing and encouraging a good education. When I was in high school I really looked up to my school counselors and hoped for positive information and encouragement to move forward to better my education. They can be a huge help and influence on someone with a Learning Disability who thinks they wouldn’t be able to make it in college. The article also said, “that many students with learning disabilities do not consider postsecondary education options (2- and 4-year colleges and vocational schools) because they are not encouraged, assisted, or prepared to do so" (1994, p. 1). Hitchings et al. (2001) interviewed 97 college students with learning disabilities and found 20 reported being discouraged from pursuing college by teachers and/or school counselors.” That can be really discouraging and if I was ever told not to continue on with my education my confidence would go down and despite what I use to think about myself, my opinion would change because someone I looked up to said not to do it. People with Learning disabilities already struggle with self-confidence, they need to know the can do it and they can progress and that is where the encouragement of a school counselor comes in.

            In order for anyone to help, they must first have transition plan. In the article, Assisting Students with Learning Disabilities Transitioning to College: What School Counselors Should Know, it talks about a transition program that was put into place, which 55 students participated in. the article states: “Aune (1991) described a program focusing on individualized psychoeducational training for 55 students with learning disabilities. Student needs were assessed based on a transition model, which provided guidelines for content areas (e.g., using accommodations), desirable timelines, and optional services (e.g., consultation with parents, individual counseling). Through grant funding, a transition specialist was hired to serve as a case manager, meeting bimonthly with students one-on-one and coordinating the provision of additional services. Optional group sessions were provided during the summer months, and students continued monthly communication (often by phone) with the case manager during their first year of college. Aune reported 71% of the students pursued postsecondary courses within a year of graduating from high school and the majority were more aware of their disabilities and able to self-advocate.” This transition program would be great for all students with learning disabilities. It talked about having a timeline and optional services like meeting with parents and having a case manager meet with them on a regular basis. A transitioning program would benefit all students and help them move forward in their education. Any student with a learning disability is able to get a good college education if they have the right support. That is why I feel so strongly about having a good support system in high school for these students to be able to gain the confidence and feel like they are equal and can get a college education.

            Universities also need to have programs that are ready to accept and help these students in any way possible. In the article, “Helping Students with Disabilities Transition to College: 21 Tips for Students with LD and/or ADD/ADHD” by: Connor, David J. he states: “Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (2006) ensured the civil rights of people with disabilities. As part of that legislation, all colleges that receive any type of federal funding are required by law to have disability services on campus for students with disabilities (see Table 1). A student's request for accommodations and support services is verified by this office, which then approves relevant support from a range of possibilities (e.g., alternative testing arrangements, priority registration, assistive technology services, readers, note takers, sign language interpreters). The campus disability services office also prepares a document notifying professors of accommodations required by the student (without disclosing the specific disability)--although it is often the student's responsibility to give the information to the professor.” (quoted from) Connor, David J. "Helping Students With Disabilities Transition To College: 21 Tips For Students With LD And/Or ADD/ADHD." TEACHING Exceptional Children 44.5 (2012): 16-25. ERIC. Web. 9 Dec. 2014.

 If all Universities and even small Jr. Colleges would make sure that they are doing this to accommodate those students then it will make the beginning of starting their education a lot less stressful. This article also talks about success stories and letting other students hear them so that they know it is possible and they can graduate and obtain a college degree of their choosing.

            People with learning disabilities need to learn how to be independent as well. All though there is help for them, it isn’t going to just be handed to them. In the article it states: “With greater autonomy comes increased self-responsibility. Individuals with LD and/or ADD/ADHD intending to go to college should know about the federal regulations that affect them, including what kind of assistance they personally require (the more specific, the better)--and be able to provide documentation to substantiate their claim (Beale, 2005). The burden of proof is on the student to have his or her disability verified (Madaus & Shaw, 2006). Students should maintain information throughout high school on their school-based assessments and be prepared to share it with the campus disability services office. Once this information is shared, students will be notified of their status (i.e. "officially" recognized as having a disability), the accommodations they are entitled to, and possible optional services that exist at the college, such as access to a writing center, priority to quiet areas of the library, and so on.” (quoted from)  Connor, David J. "Helping Students With Disabilities Transition To College: 21 Tips For Students With LD And/Or ADD/ADHD." TEACHING Exceptional Children 44.5 (2012): 16-25. ERIC. Web. 9 Dec. 2014.

 Students need a good support system but they also need to be keeping track of their information and what kind of learning disability they have so they can be prepared to apply and ask for they help when they are ready for it. Something that can help them with this is being educated early in life so they know what they need to work on to make learning come easier for themselves.

            I myself don’t have a learning disability but from my own experience in high school, the biggest thing that helped me learn was by example. When my teachers were more specific on what I needed to do to complete an assignment it seemed like I would have an easier time accomplishing the task. Obviously it is a lot easier to do something when you have a good example to follow by instead of just given the basics and told to go do it. People who have a learning disability aren’t too much different than the average student. They just have more obstacles and challenges to overcome. If what is expected of them is put plain and simple then of course they will be able to learn and accomplish what is expected of them.

            The overall thing that is going to help these students the most is the involvement of their leaders. Parents, teachers, counselors, and Principals will have the biggest influence on their education and whether or not they think they can attended and succeed in college. A good transitioning program should also be put into place at every high school so that the students are prepared the best they can be when getting ready to apply for college. There are a lot of hidden steps that they need to be aware of, everyone needs to be doing their part to help get the information gathered.

            In conclusion, my opinion is that all students deserve a chance at an education. Everyone involved in the school setting needs to be ready and able to provide help. I think there needs to be a detailed training for all teachers so they can learn how to help their students the best they can. Parents too need to be involved in their student’s education and they need to be aware of their student’s learning disability so they can help them at home. My goal would be to make sure everything possible is being done for a good transitioning program to be placed in high schools to better prepare students for their future and moving forward with their education.

                                   Works Cited

Hamblet, Elizabeth C. "Nine Strategies To Improve College Transition Planning For Students With Disabilities." Teaching Exceptional Children 46.3 (2014): 53-59. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Dec. 2014.

Assisting Students with Learning Disabilities Transitioning to College: What School Counselors Should Know By: Milsom, Amy, Hartley, Michael T., Professional School Counseling, 10962409, 20050601, Vol. 8, Issue 5

Connor, David J. "Helping Students With Disabilities Transition To College: 21 Tips For Students With LD And/Or ADD/ADHD." TEACHING Exceptional Children 44.5 (2012): 16-25. ERIC. Web. 

9 Dec. 2014.

this paper was a lot more difficult that i thought it was going to be. I wasn't aware when i chose this subject that we would be writing a 8-10 page paper on it. I had a really hard time finding articles that gave me enough information and I also had a hard time not repeating information. if i could do this assignment over again i would choose a new subject.