No. The American Psychological Association and the Chancellors Office have authorized us to not test students virtually or in-person during campus closure. However, we can provide temporary accommodations while students are waiting to be tested for a learning disability.  Here is the protocol given to us from the CA Chancellors Office:  

• First step of the LD testing process, which consists of completing the application and an interview, can be conducted virtually.

• Then students will be placed on the wait list to be tested when the campus reopens.

• While we are waiting for the campus to reopen, the DRC will provide temporary academic accommodations.

Yes and no. 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Rehabilitation Act”) in public elementary school, middle school, and high school pertain to K-12.  In some instances, students may continue to have legal rights under certain federal laws, through college programs, and in employment.

However, when students graduate from high school or reach age 21, they no longer have rights under the IDEA.  The reason why is because IDEA establishes the right to a “free appropriate public education” (“FAPE”), but post secondary education is not free.  There are tuition costs to attend colleges and universities.  

But college students will remain to have the right to academic accommodations through the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and be protected from discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

We cannot guarantee that they will receive the same accommodations in college.

Since college professors plan their lectures a bit differently, it is not always possible.  For example, we cannot provide a guarantee that professors can give a copy of their lecture notes in advance or any lecture notes at all, as most professors teach through class discussions that can be unpredictable.  

We also cannot provide an instructional aid to sit with your child for physical or medical reasons.  However, we do allow a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to attend classes with your child but:

• They must be cleared through the DRC office 

• The student will be responsible for paying them and scheduling them

• and PCA's are not allowed to do the work for the student - however they may act as a scribe if need be

Along with the DRC, the college has resources to help students with a variety of needs:

• Financial Aid Office

• The Personal Counseling Center 

• General Counselors for academic advising 

• The Health Center

• The Learning Center for tutoring

• TRIO Student Support Services

• Transfer Center for assistance to transfer to a 4-year university

• Dream Center

• Promise

• Veterans Services

• Canvas Support

• Spark Point Services for financial coaching

• Peer Mentors

Legally, we cannot disclose any information regarding how your child is doing, including disclosing their grades or any of the information on in their files, without their written consent.  There is a form that they must complete and submit to us in order for us to share any information to you. 

• Update documentation; be sure it addresses the accommodations they will need, and send it to the appropriate college office well before your first semester.

• Make sure your child understands and is able to articulate what their challenges are.

• The actual time spent in classes is considerably less in college than in high school, creating much more free time.  Therefore, college requires a lot of self-discipline, time management, and strong study skills.

• Encourage your child to take advantage of all of the free resources on campus

• Also encourage your children to self-advocate for themselves.  If they ever feel something is inappropriate, have them contact an administrator on campus to make a complaint. Please let them know that their voices matter and we are here to make they feel they are supported.  

• The freedom to cut classes or spend time with friends is much greater in college than in high school. Missing classes, however, is directly correlated to failure in college.

• College professors spend much more time lecturing and expect students to read and study textbooks on their own.

• Studying in college does not necessarily mean homework; it means independent learning, such as reading, reviewing notes or studying outside sources in the library.

• For every hour in class, at least 2 hours outside of class should be spent studying per week.  So 4-unit course thus will require about 12 hours of work per week: 4 hours of class time and 8 hours of work outside of class.  And remember, if your child has any processing deficits, then they will mostly likely need to plan for more than 8 hours of week of study time. 

• Tests in college are generally given less frequently than in high school, so grades are based on fewer opportunities which means there is a greater chance of receiving a poor grade in the class.

• In college C (not C-) is generally considered the lowest passing grade; anything lower can risk probation or dismissal.

The following resources are intended to be helpful to students with disabilities who are in the process of making the transition from high school to college or those who are planning ahead to attend college in the future:

• Transition: Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education from Department of Education Web site