There is no Special Education at the college level. Educational rights covered by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) do not apply to postsecondary education. Colleges must comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Civil Rights Restoration Act. College students have civil rights, but not “education” rights. 


Post-secondary institutions are required to: 

  • Make all programs and services physically accessible to all students 
  • Provide appropriate equipment to ensure the participation of students with disabilities in college classes and activities 
  • Accommodate the academic participation of qualified students with disabilities in college classes and activities 

Post-secondary institutions are NOT required to: 

  • Provide specific auxiliary aids as long as the college provides a method of assistance that allows equal opportunity 
  • Provide academic modifications if these modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the course or program or place undue burden on the institution 
  • Lower admission criteria for applicants with disabilities 
  • Diagnose a disability or conduct testing and assessment of learning difficulties, physical, or mental impairments 
  • Provide personal attendants 
  • Provide personal or private tutors 
  • Prepare “Individualized Education Programs” (IEP’s) 


Differences in Policies and Procedures for High School vs. University 

High School 

University 

The school is responsible for identifying students with disabilities. 

The student must self-identify or disclose their disability. 

The school must provide the assessment of disability, classify disability, and involve parents. 

The student must provide documentation of their disability to the designated office. 

School staff will discuss academic progress with parents or legal guardians. 

The student is considered an adult with privacy and confidentiality protections. Staff cannot talk with parents or legal guardians about the student’s academic progress without formal permission from the student. 

The school must develop an Individualized Educational Program (IEP). 

The student must request specific accommodations and provide supporting evidence through documentation. 

The school must provide a free and appropriate education including modified program and appropriate related services. 

The student must act as independent adults to activate and obtain accommodations and structure weekly schedules. 

The school must coordinate the provision of all services, monitor progress, and evaluate results. 

The college must provide reasonable accommodations for students who qualify. 


Differences in Courses Expectations for High School vs. University 

High School 

University 

Class attendance is mandatory and monitored carefully. 

Students are expected to follow the instructor’s attendance policy as stated in the syllabus. 

Teachers will usually approach students who are having academic difficulties. 

Students are responsible for asking the instructor for help when they need it. 

Teachers remind students of assignment due dates. 

Students are responsible for keeping track of their projects, assignments, and tests dates. 

Teachers will provide students with missed information when they are absent. 

Students must approach their instructor or other students for information they may have missed. 

Teachers often will provide extra credit assignments to help students raise their grades. 

Extra credit assignments are often not given.  

Make-up tests are usually available. 

Make up tests may not always be an option. 

Teachers present information to help the student understand the textbook. 

Instructors may not follow the textbook, but lectures enhance the topic. 



Differences in Accommodations for High School vs. University 

High School 

University 

Services include individually designed instruction, modifications, and accommodations based on the IEP. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide equal access and participation. 

Modifications that change course outcomes may be offered based on the IEP. 

The college is not required to lower or make substantial modifications to essential requirements. 

Appropriate accommodations are 

determined by the student’s 

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). 

Appropriate accommodations are determined based on the student’s documented needs and the university’s ability to provide the requested accommodations without substantial change to the curriculum or undue burden. 


Differences in Parent or Legal Guardian’s Role for High School vs. University 

High School 

University 

Legal guidance is provided by IDEA. 

Legal guidance is provided by Section 504 and ADA. 

Parents must ensure that their child attends school until the age of 16. 

Parents are not required to send their child to college. 

Periodic progress reports are given to parents. 

No progress reports will be given to parents. 


Teachers are free to approach parents without consent from the student to discuss the student’s progress. 

Without a release of information signed by the student, the course instructor or university staff cannot legally include the parents in any part of the educational process. 

The parent is the student’s legal guardian. 



In college, the student is considered to be their own legal guardian unless there is a court order to the contrary. 

The parent is expected to advocate for the student. 


The student is expected to advocate on their own behalf.