Get the College Experience Without College Credits
Getting the social life without the hard classes
Get the College Experience Without College Credits
Some kids desperately want to attend college and live in a dorm, even though they can’t handle college-level academics. They are social kids who like to be around other young people. Maybe they want to get away from home and be more independent. They want to stroll across a college campus, get lunch at the dining hall, and play board games with friends.
However, traditional college classes might be tough for them. Even with the support of specialized programs or the disability office, they are unprepared to take Sociology 101 or Introduction to Physics.
It can be difficult for parents to tell their children that a traditional college isn’t right for them. Students in special education classes often get As on their report cards, so they might believe that they are on track for college like their peers. If a student’s path isn’t a traditional college, it’s best to start that conversation as early as possible so they aren’t too disappointed at the end of high school.
We should lower the stigma around alternatives to colleges and increase information to parents. Too many students — regardless of their background — never finish college. Failure can be traumatic and expensive for the families. College experience programs are one of several options for students with this profile.
College experience programs offer life on a college campus without the pressure of college-level academics. Each program is slightly different. Some programs focus on increasing college readiness; others on vocational training and independent living. Some programs offer residential living on campus; in other programs, students live in off-campus housing.
The programs usually provide specialized coursework for students about social skills or vocational readiness. At the end of the program, students will earn a certificate of achievement rather than an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree.
To find the right programs for your child, you should call the admissions departments of these programs with a recent set of education and psychological evaluations and an IEP. The staff will help you decide which program is right for your child.
Here are some options:
Residential Private 18-21 Transition Programs With College Support
Private Residential Transition Programs (up to age 30) with College Support
Certificate Programs on a College Campus (Residential)
The CSS Program at The College of New Jersey
The Bridge Program at Mount Saint Vincent
Residential Transition Program on a College Campus
In the News
The 74 — Standards Gap: Why Many Students Score Proficient on State Tests But Not on NAEP
Chalkbeat — Families left in dark about impact of alternate assessment track on students with disabilities.