Differences Between High School and Higher Education Disability Services
Tarleton State University is compliant with the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Civil Tights Restoration Act. In Higher Education, Special Education or Educational rights outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) do not carry over post High School Graduation.
Tarleton State University is required to:
- Allow all programs and services to be accessible to all students
- Provide auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, recording devices for notetaking, and equipment for students with disabilities to participate in courses and activities.
- Make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities for courses and activities.
Tarleton State University is not required to:
- Provide specific auxiliary aids
- Provide academic modifications that would fundamentally alter the requirements of the course
- Adjust or change admissions criteria or essential requirements for applicants with disabilites
- Diagnose a disability or conduct testing, evaluations, or assessment for learning impairments
- Provide personal care attendants
- Provide personal or private tutoring services
- Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Differences in Policies and Procedures
| K-12 | Higher Education |
|---|---|
| The school is responsible for identifying students with disabilites | The student is responsible for identification or disclosing their disability |
| The school is required to provide an assessment of disability, identify the disability, and notify parents | The student is responsible for providing documentation of their ability to Student Accessibility Services |
| Educators will determine academic plan and discuss progress with guardians | Students are considered adults with privacy and confidential protections. Instructors will not talk with parents or guardians about student’s academics |
| The school must develop an Individualized Educational Program | The student must request accommodations and provide evidence through documentation |
| The school is responsible for providing free and appropriate education through modified programs or other related services | The student is an independent and must obtain accommodation and plan accordingly |
| The school is responsible for coordinating services and monitoring progress and evaluate results | The University must provide reasonable accommodations for students who qualify |
Course Specific Differences
| K-12 | Higher Education |
|---|---|
| School attendance is mandatory and monitored daily | Students are expected to adhere to attendance policies stated in the syllabus by professors |
| Teachers reach out to students who are struggling academically | Students are responsible for seeking help from instructors |
| Educators remind students daily of assignment due dates | Students are responsible for assignment, exam, and project due dates |
| Teachers provide students with the material they missed while absent | Students must contact professor about information missed while absent |
| Extra credit assignments are often provided to help students raise their grades | Extra credit assignments rarely provided |
| Make up test are typically provided | Make up test is usually not an option |
| Educators present information based on the textbook to help the students understand the concepts | Professors rarely follow the textbook, but lectures enhance the book topics |
Difference in Accommodations
| K-12 | Higher Education |
|---|---|
| Services include personalized instructions, modifications, and accommodations based on the IEP | Reasonable accommodations may be implemented to allow equal participation and access |
| Modifications that alter the course outcome of the course may be offered based on the IEP | Tarleton State is not required to lower or modify essential course requirements |
| Accommodations are determined by the student’s Individualized Education Plan | Accommodations are determined based on the student’s disability documents and individualized needs |
Differences in Parent’s or Legal Guardian’s Role
| K-12 | Higher Education |
|---|---|
| Legal guidance is provided by the IDEA | Legal guidance is provided by Section 504 and ADA |
| Parents are required to ensure that the child attends school until at least 16 years of age | Parents are not required to send their child college |
| Progress checks are given to guardians | No progress checks will be sent to guardians |
| Educators are free to contact parents without child consent to discuss the student’s education | Without signed documentation by the student, no faculty or staff can legally share any educational information about the student |
| The parent or guardian is responsible for advocating for the student | The student is expected to advocate on their own behalf |