Getting Started

Getting Started with Your School

Students with disabilities at your school may already use college counseling services. They are served best when you, as a special educator, coordinate transition planning with couselors and career center specialists. Career and counseling staff are the experts on college. They have the most information on college opportunities, admission procedures, pre-college testing, and deadlines. You are the expert on your students' learning needs and accommodations. Many students with disabilities may need extra counselor time. By working together, you can develop an effective plan of support. Be sure to share Post-ITT Activities and this web resource with your colleagues in the counseling office!

Getting Started with Your Community

Getting students to look to the future can be challenging. Finding creative ways to bring the community into the classroom encourages students to plan beyond high school. Consider inviting staff and students from a local college to speak to the students. Perhaps you know people who thought they were going to college, but didn't plan for it. They may be willing to share their story. Don't forget to take full advantage of college fairs at local colleges. Informational brochures about college planning opportunities may not routinely cross your desk, so it pays to make some inquiries.

Getting Started with Parents

Post-ITT Activities can help students, parents, and staff work towards a common post school goal through the annual IEP meeting. The parents' awareness of college requirements should be considered when planning the meeting. Work closely with those unfamiliar with college to help them become more aware of the possibilities that postsecondary education may make available to their children. Post-ITT can assist parents to think of college as a realistic possibility and provide them the information they need. Don't forget to refer them to the Post-ITT Support Module for Parents.

Getting Started with Students

Planning for college requires that students overcome a natural inertia associated with starting something new. The Activities help by guiding and supporting them through the process. Your students will undoubtedly be at different stages of readiness to plan. Part of your job will be to understand, challenge, and encourage them. If a student is not ready for a particular activity, it can be reintroduced later.

This section guides students through a process that helps them become more realistic. They become aware of the need to plan and learn to base their plans on an accurate understanding of themselves and the available opportunities. This will involve exploring dream jobs, training opportunities, and considering economic realities.