10th Grade Checklist

Students should...

• Continue attending IEP meetings and become more involved in the decisions made.
• Search the Internet and other resources (i.e., books, articles) to learn more about your condition.
• Identify how the condition impacts you in the classroom, at work, and in social settings.
  • You should be able to discuss your condition and its impact with the IEP team.
• Learn more about the differences between academic adjustments in college and high school.
  • For example, unlimited time may be provided in high school, whereas 50% or 100% more time may be provided in college.
• Begin to utilize academic adjustments that are more in line with what is used in college.
  • If student is using unlimited time on exams, switch to 50% or 100% more time.
  • Individualized instruction and certain modifications used in high school will not be provided at the post-secondary level.
• Utilize an academic adjustment letter and self-advocate for academic adjustments in courses (i.e., if extended time is needed, the student should be provided with a letter from the special education department stating extended time is needed for testing. The letter should state a specific amount of time 50% or 100%.
  • The student would...
    • make an appointment to meet with their teacher
    • present the academic adjustment letter
    • discuss the academic adjustment
    • make arrangements for the test adjustment
  • This is the process used in most post-secondary schools.
• Participate in a career assessment and make appropriate career choices.  These choices should match your individual strengths and goals for post-secondary education.
• Research the entrance requirements for admission to post-secondary schools and colleges.
• Meet with guidance counselors to determine if the courses taken in high school meet the post-secondary school or college entrance requirements.
• Continue searching Web sites for post-secondary schools and colleges.
  • Make a list of the schools that match areas of interest (i.e., major, location, size, cost, etc.).
• Visit and tour colleges and post-secondary school campuses.
• Become involved in activities beyond the classroom (i.e., clubs, sports, student government, community service, volunteer organizations, etc).
  • Post-secondary schools look for these activities in addition to grades and test scores when determining admissions.
• Discuss options and choices with parents (e.g., a post-secondary school that the student chooses may not fit into the family budget).
• Take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) for practice.
  • Check the box that releases your name to colleges to receive brochures.
  • Visit the College Board for more information
• Consider taking the SAT II Subject Tests in your sophomore courses.

Parents should...

• Continue involvement in the IEP process.
  • Allow their child to advocate for themselves during the IEP meeting including discussing their disability and needs in the classroom.
• Continue to discuss their child's post high school plans.
• Research information (e.g., via telephone calls and internet) regarding college and post-secondary costs, financial aid, and scholarships.