Marie tes
2759A Jeff Road
Harvest, AL 35749
phone 256-852-4688
College trends: in the 90�s media coverage of SAT�s and that put pressure on kids applying to college. Rosalyn says parents and students need to COOL IT don�t be so stressed out about college selection.
Parents wanting Ivy Schools or selective schools are stressing their students. It is not that big a deal. Applicants to large state schools are more relaxed. Large state schools have a computerized selection of students based on GPA and test scores. Kids coming from a very helping household are afraid of the change.]
There are six factors that you should consider when looking for a school:
Geography: if being 2-3 hours from home is important to parent or student, then don�t ignore this criteria.
GPA: is primary. Each school has their range of GPA scores that they will accept.
Test Scores: SAT and ACT are widely used but they are not used exclusively. Some smaller schools don�t use them at all. Some believe that tests are predictors of success however those schools that base those scores heavily on acceptance find that one quarter of students leave after the first year. Tests scores are not doing really well as a predictor
Several reasons kids are dropping out after the first year. In larger schools the students are just a number, they don�t feel they are being good stewards of their parent�s money. Some kids aren�t using, particulary dyslexic kids are not using services provided by the colleges.
Preparing for SATs, the PSAT is given in fall of the 11th grade. You can sign up ahead of time and take the test in 10th grade. Some private schools will allow an outsider to test in the tenth grade with their students for a 10-15 dollar fee. Taking the PSAT in the 10th grade takes the anxiety away from them when they take it in the 11th grade. You can go to http://www.collegeboard.com/splash for applications and more information. You can go to www.collegeboard.com or http://www.act.org/
Finances: Loans can be for parents or the students. Your first step should be to go to
http://finaid.org/
Once you are accepted at a school go to the college�s Department of Finance and Education for more information.
The Social Milieu: You need to evaluate the school�s social mix with that of your child. You want your children to be similar to the other children.
LD support:
If you are going to use accommodations in college you must have a current IEPA or your IEP must be updated. It should be no earlier than the second half of the 11th grade. Private school kids can be tested by the public school or they can get a private tester. You tell them �I want to make sure my child has ADA accommodations in college.
ACT/SAT accommodations: the high school counselor or special ed teacher would administer the SAT test. One large high school in this area did not want accommodations for any students. You must show that there is a problem as early as the 3rd or 4th grade as background information. For accommodation information you can go directly to http://www.act.org/aap/disab/policy.html
and
http://www.collegeboard.com/disable/students/html/indx000.html
The kinds of things they give you are extra time, blocks of time, the test can be read to you, you can answer orally, larger print. You must ask for help. Often the teacher or test administrator has to come in on their own time. You can give them a gift certificate if they are coming in on their own time.
By the time your student is in 10th grade you should start evaluating college LD programs�covertly because you are trying not to stress your child. You want to call colleges and ask about their LD programs. You want to know how many kids are in the program, tutors available, either professional or peer tutors, what support is available through technology, what about extra time on tests, quiet room, what free services are provided
There are also paid services provided that cost several thousand dollars.. These paid services include lots of support. Decide as a parent the balance of free programs and paid programs. Dyslexic kids have a harder time than other LD kids taking advantage of their accommodations. When you do a college visit between 10th and 11th grade, be low key about your child attending college but be constant. You should visit a college when students are there on campus. Visit the LD office at some time during your visit but don�t overemphasize it to your child.
College LD programs can change from year to year. BEWARE of considering factors other than the six stated above. Don�t go by your friend�s assessment of what makes a good college.
BOOKS AND GUIDES:
Peterson's Colleges With Programs for Students With Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorders (Peterson's Colleges With Programs for Students With Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorders, 6th Ed)
by Peterson's Guides (Editor), Stephen S. Strichart (Editor), Charles T., II Mangrum (Editor)
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0768904552/qid=1085240223/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/002-3766799-6745628?v=glance&s=books
Colleges With Programs or Services for Students With Learning Disabilities (3rd ed.)
by Midge Lipkin
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0962032670/qid=1085240345/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-3766799-6745628?v=glance&s=books
K & W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or AttentionDeficit Disorder, 7th Edition
by Imy F. Wax, Marybeth Kravets
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0375763570/qid=1085240607/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-3766799-6745628?v=glance&s=books
Out of print is Lovejoy's College Guide for the Learning Disabled
by Charles T. Straugh, Marvelle S. Colby
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671527193/qid=1085240491/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-3766799-6745628?v=glance&s=books
Marie Associates
2759A Jeff Road
Harvest, AL 35749
phone 256-852-4688
College trends: in the 90�s media coverage of SAT�s and that put pressure on kids applying to college. Rosalyn says parents and students need to COOL IT don�t be so stressed out about college selection.
Parents wanting Ivy Schools or selective schools are stressing their students. It is not that big a deal. Applicants to large state schools are more relaxed. Large state schools have a computerized selection of students based on GPA and test scores. Kids coming from a very helping household are afraid of the change.]
There are six factors that you should consider when looking for a school:
Geography: if being 2-3 hours from home is important to parent or student, then don�t ignore this criteria.
GPA: is primary. Each school has their range of GPA scores that they will accept.
Test Scores: SAT and ACT are widely used but they are not used exclusively. Some smaller schools don�t use them at all. Some believe that tests are predictors of success however those schools that base those scores heavily on acceptance find that one quarter of students leave after the first year. Tests scores are not doing really well as a predictor
Several reasons kids are dropping out after the first year. In larger schools the students are just a number, they don�t feel they are being good stewards of their parent�s money. Some kids aren�t using, particulary dyslexic kids are not using services provided by the colleges.
Preparing for SATs, the PSAT is given in fall of the 11th grade. You can sign up ahead of time and take the test in 10th grade. Some private schools will allow an outsider to test in the tenth grade with their students for a 10-15 dollar fee. Taking the PSAT in the 10th grade takes the anxiety away from them when they take it in the 11th grade. You can go to http://www.collegeboard.com/splash for applications and more information. You can go to www.collegeboard.com or http://www.act.org/
Finances: Loans can be for parents or the students. Your first step should be to go to
http://finaid.org/
Once you are accepted at a school go to the college�s Department of Finance and Education for more information.
The Social Milieu: You need to evaluate the school�s social mix with that of your child. You want your children to be similar to the other children.
LD support:
If you are going to use accommodations in college you must have a current IEPA or your IEP must be updated. It should be no earlier than the second half of the 11th grade. Private school kids can be tested by the public school or they can get a private tester. You tell them �I want to make sure my child has ADA accommodations in college.
ACT/SAT accommodations: the high school counselor or special ed teacher would administer the SAT test. One large high school in this area did not want accommodations for any students. You must show that there is a problem as early as the 3rd or 4th grade as background information. For accommodation information you can go directly to http://www.act.org/aap/disab/policy.html
and
http://www.collegeboard.com/disable/students/html/indx000.html
The kinds of things they give you are extra time, blocks of time, the test can be read to you, you can answer orally, larger print. You must ask for help. Often the teacher or test administrator has to come in on their own time. You can give them a gift certificate if they are coming in on their own time.
By the time your student is in 10th grade you should start evaluating college LD programs�covertly because you are trying not to stress your child. You want to call colleges and ask about their LD programs. You want to know how many kids are in the program, tutors available, either professional or peer tutors, what support is available through technology, what about extra time on tests, quiet room, what free services are provided
There are also paid services provided that cost several thousand dollars.. These paid services include lots of support. Decide as a parent the balance of free programs and paid programs. Dyslexic kids have a harder time than other LD kids taking advantage of their accommodations. When you do a college visit between 10th and 11th grade, be low key about your child attending college but be constant. You should visit a college when students are there on campus. Visit the LD office at some time during your visit but don�t overemphasize it to your child.
College LD programs can change from year to year. BEWARE of considering factors other than the six stated above. Don�t go by your friend�s assessment of what makes a good college.