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Parent Participation in the Transition from High School to College. Transition is a team effort . Helping students prepare for the transition to college is a team effort Student Parents Transition Counselor/Coordinator Guidance Counselor Teachers Coaches Class Advisors.
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Parent Participation in the Transition from High School to College
Transition is a team effort • Helping students prepare for the transition to college is a team effort • Student • Parents • Transition Counselor/Coordinator • Guidance Counselor • Teachers • Coaches • Class Advisors
How Can Parents Assist their High School Student • Encourage your son/daughter to talk about their disability and how it effects learning • Keep a copy of the current IEP and Psychological Evaluation • Keep copies of the most up to date high school transcript • Encourage your son/daughter to register with the college’s disability resource office • Encourage your son/daughter to complete the ACCES- VR application. Attend the ACCES-VR meetings but let your young adult do the talking
Empowerment– • When parents and educators work with students to complete tasks ON THEIR OWN, it is a form of empowerment. • This is a process that takes time, patience, and a willingness from the student to become self-directed. • Empowerment builds confidence!!!!!!
Self-Advocacy • Have a family discussion about self advocacy • Give examples of how your son/daughter can be his/her own best advocate • Discuss how being a good self-advocate will lead to more success in college • Role play with your son/daughter situations such as talking with a professor about his/her disability and modifications (i.e. separate location for taking exam, extra time)
Working with your student on the following: • Time Line • College Applications • ACCES-VR Application • Financial Aid • College Visits • Vocational Assessments
Developing a Time Line • Throughout their high school experience, students can develop a yearly time line to list the various events and activities that may take place. • This will help “chunk” down some of the necessary activities. • Tasks should be realistic and can be checked off as they are completed
Time Line Websites http://collegeapps.about.com/od/admissionst http://www.petersons.com/college-search/planning-list-students-parents.aspx http://www.quintcareers.com/college_application_timeline.html Time line should be simple AND realistic. The time line should be a true representation of your son/daughter’s “to do” list for the coming year.
College Applications • Encourage your son/daughter • To work closely with the guidance counselor and/or transition counselor on the college application process. • To determine the factors that are most important in deciding the college of his/her choice • To attend college fairs • To begin the process early • To develop a quality college essay • To complete the applications before the deadlines
ACCES-VR Application • Should be completed in the 2nd half of the student’s junior year or 1st semester of the senior year. • Students can get assistance with completing the application from teachers and counselors. • ACCES works with the college disability office in providing services such as tutoring and note taking.
ACCES-VR Application • Student Questionnaire – your son/daughter needs to complete this to the best of his/her ability • Sign the release of information forms • Complete financial survey if your child is seeking services that are based on economic need (i.e. textbook costs) • Check over application to be sure all sections are completed (incomplete applications can lead to a delay in processing
Financial Aid • Encourage your son/daughter to: • apply to the various scholarships available through the high school and community • Apply early to these scholarships • Check out scholarships at the college where s/he has applied. • Complete the FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) • Be sure to access the correct web site. It doesn’t cost you any money to file the FAFSA at the above website
College Visits • Encourage your son/daughter to: • Visit the colleges while classes are in session • Talk with students who are in enrolled in his/her program of interest. • Figure out the campus map and get from Point A to Point B. This can be quite the “demystifying” experience. • (if applicable) Plan an overnight visit. • Eat in the school’s cafeteria
College Visits • Encourage your son/daughter to visit the following offices on campus: • Admission Office • Financial Aid • Security • Disability Services • Cafeteria • Career Planning
The “What Do You Want to Do When You Grow-Up” Discussion • Talk with your son/daughter about : • Likes and dislikes • Does the stated goal (i.e. become a nurse) go along with your child’s academic interests? • Program requirements (prerequisites, course requirements, minimum grades in program) • Researching different careers (NY Career Zone is a great way to find out information and it’s FREE – http://www.nycareerzone.org/)
Contact Information • Sally Lauletta Transition Coordinator,Questar III slauletta@questar.org (518) 479-6802 • Jennifer Miller Learning Disabilities Specialist Hudson Valley Community College J.Miller1@hvcc.edu (518) 629-7552