|
Really Big News: Think College Searchable Literature Database is
Now Online
|
|
The Think College Searchable Literature Database consists of annotated listings of books, journal articles, and other publications related to the topic of postsecondary education and people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. In cases where the PDF is available, it is linked within the database. In other cases, we will let you know where you may obtain the resources you find. The database will be updated on a quarterly basis as new publications become available. If you would like to suggest an entry into this database, contact Cate Weir at cathryn.weir@umb.edu.
To find the Database, visit http://thinkcollege.net/searchadd-programs/literature?view=search
|
State of the Science Conference
|
On November 6, 2009, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDDR), in coordination with the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), sponsored a State of the Science meeting on Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Hosted by Dawn Carlson, Program Specialist at NIDRR, the program included other representatives from NIDRR, the Office of Postsecondary Education, the Office of Special Education Programs, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, along with many other notable speakers on this emerging area of research. Participants at the invitation-only event were provided with morning presentations on:
·the research literature base on postsecondary education for individuals with intellectual disabilities,
·the recent amendments to the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act related to individuals with intellectual disabilities,
·early results from the Think College national survey of postsecondary initiatives for students with intellectual disabilities funded by NIDRR, and
·an overview of a variety of existing postsecondary initiatives that create access to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities.
The luncheon keynote speaker, journalist Judy Woodruff, gave an inspiring presentation on the critical need to develop postsecondary education options nationwide for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.
The remainder of the afternoon consisted of a number of facilitated discussion groups that were designed to identify key areas of a research agenda for this area of study. The input from participants will be used to help shape future federal efforts to improve access to postsecondary education for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Think College will keep readers posted on future activities that result from this meeting.
|
Capacity Building Institute Planned for Tennessee
|
|
Think College will hold a Capacity Building Institute on Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in Nashville, on Monday, April 19, 2010. This event is co-hosted and coordinated by the Vanderbilt Kennedy University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities.
The institute will offer strategies and resources that can be used by college faculty, college administrators and community leaders to support the development and implementation of inclusive postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities. Conference attendees will hear about information and best practices for innovative postsecondary programs serving students with intellectual disabilities who are seeking continuing education opportunities after high school.
Speakers for the conference will include Deb Hart and Cate Weir, Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts in Boston; Meg Grigal, TransCen, Inc.; Elise McMillan and Tammy Day, Vanderbilt University; and Wanda Willis, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Registration for the Tennessee Institute will be limited to 50 participants, and will be available at www.kc.vanderbilt.edu after Jan. 1. Preference will be given to Tennessee college and university teams of from 3 to 5 faculty, administrators and community leaders, but other college teams from other states also are encouraged to attend. For more information about the Tennessee Institute, contact Elise McMillan at elise.mcmillan@vanderbilt.edu or Cate Weir at cathryn.weir@umb.edu
|
Websites and Publications We Like
|
NICHCY recently updated the transition planning for youth with disabilities section of its Web site. They launched a new transition section for those who asked for it to be differently organized and expanded. The updated section contains more resources and in-depth information on transition planning.
http://www.nichcy.org/EducateChildren/transition_adulthood/Pages/Default.aspx
Success at Every Step: How 23 Programs Support Youth on the Way to College and Beyond
This report by the American Youth Policy Forum focuses on programs that have been proven to help young people successfully complete high school and be prepared for success in postsecondary education and careers. These programs represent a wide range of interventions, including school-wide reform initiatives, community-based afterschool services, work-based learning opportunities, and college access programs. From an analysis of the included programs, the report identifies common programmatic and structural elements that may contribute to their effectiveness and summarizes key outcomes.
http://www.aypf.org/publications/SuccessAtEveryStep.htm
Getting Ready for Postsecondary Education? (Spanish Version)
The U.S. Department of Education offers a Spanish version of the report entitled Students With Disabilities Preparing For Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities (Preparacion Para La Educacion Postsecundaria Para Los Estudiantes Con Discapacidades: Conozca Sus Derechos Y Responsabilidades). The information within this report is provided by the Office of Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education. The report explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing for postsecondary education.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition-sp.html?exp=3
|
Resources You Can Use
"Going to College" Website
|
This new website which was designed for high school students, and contains information about living college life with a disability. The site contains video clips, activities, and resources that can help students get a head start in planning for college. "Going to College" is divided into three sections or modules:
1. My Place
2. Campus Life
3. Planning for College
Each module contains subtopics with information, activities and online resources. Within most subtopics, you will find videos where students who have disabilities talk about their experiences in college. Initial discussion questions have been developed to elicit current student knowledge for each subtopic. The activities help students to apply the information presented. It is encouraged for family members to complete at least one of the activities. Many of these activities provide useful information that can be discussed while planning the IEP, such as a learning-style survey or a worksheet for setting goals.
Finally, the portfolio section provides a way to help keep the student's information organized. Some activities are designed to be included in the portfolio that can then be used while visiting colleges and talking with college personnel. http://www.going-to-college.org/
|
Postsecondary Program Profile
College Connections Program at Jefferson Community Technical College
|
Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) in Louisville, Kentucky, has become a recent participant of the College Connections program, which is sponsored through Down Syndrome of Louisville. The program is part of a nationwide trend that aims to provide post-secondary education for people with chromosomal disorders. Early studies have indicated those students who have participated in these programs are more likely to have paying jobs in the community and to live more independently.
The plan of the College Connections program is for students to be integrated into the campus as non-degree-seeking students, who earn continuing education units instead of college credits. Some of the first courses students take are Career Exploration and Employment Readiness, which are designed to prepare them for college classes and employment. Most of the students are in their mid-twenties and have already been working for several years. Next fall, the program would like to pair each student with an academic mentor in an elective of their choice. Overall, the College Connections program wants to promote the attitude within its students that, "I'm a college student; I figured this out; I can live on my own."
For a more in-depth view of the program, visit: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20091129/FEATURES/911290302/1010/rss04 or visit http://www.downsyndromeoflouisville.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
