Students create their own schedules. Academic Advising is available for guidance and to help keep students on track, but students set the course schedule.

General education classes are dictated by the state and/or the district requirements.

Classes are based on a field or program of study based on the students’ desired major; requirements may vary.

Instructors are addressed as Mr./Miss/Ms./Mrs. [Last Name].

Instructors are faculty who have earned an advanced degree, such as a doctorate, and are typically addressed as Dr. [Last Name].

Class attendance is usually mandatory and monitored by the instructor.

Attendance policies vary and are set by individual faculty.

Textbooks are typically provided at little to no expense.

Textbooks are purchased by the student based on each class’s requirements, and can be expensive.

Instructors and school personnel closely watch out for the students, guiding and correcting them if necessary.

Students are expected to take responsibility for what they do and don’t do (e.g. missing class, not completing homework, etc.), as well as for the consequences of their decisions.

An academic year usually consists of two semesters (15 weeks each).

At L&C, an academic year consists of two semesters (16 weeks each).

The student is responsible for finding, hiring, and paying for personal care attendants.

Students may request non-academic accommodations in areas such as campus housing and dining. Students who are approved for an additional refrigerator or access to air conditioning in their living spaces are financially responsible for providing these appliances.

Teachers may modify curriculum and/or alter pace of assignments.

Teachers often provide an daily overview of what will be covered in class.

Professors often provide a syllabus at the start of the semester, which will inform you of course objectives, assignments, and test dates that you will be responsible for tracking (and often not reminded about).

You are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed, and often re-taught, in class.

You are assigned and responsible for substantial amounts of reading and writing, which may not be directly addressed in class.

You seldom need to read anything more than once, and sometimes listening in class is enough.

You need to review class notes and text material regularly.

Teachers may remind students of incomplete assignments.

Faculty may not remind students of incomplete assignments, as it is the responsibility of the student to check with professor to see if requirements are being met.

Teachers may know students’ needs and approach students when they need assistance.

Professors are usually open and helpful, but expect students to initiate contact when assistance is needed by utilizing office hours or scheduling appointments.

Teachers are often easily accessible and available before, during, or after class.

Professors have scheduled availability, and should students need additional support, they are encouraged to utilize office hours.

Teachers often provide students with information missed during absences.

Professors expect students to get information from classmates or teaching assistants (TAs) when they miss a class. Professors generally don’t follow-up with students.

Teachers present material to help students understand what is in the textbook.

Instructors may not follow the textbook, and present lectures to enhance the topic area.

Teachers often write information on the board to be copied for notes.

The professor may lecture nonstop. When they write on the board, it is often to enhance the lecture, not summarize it.

Teachers teach knowledge and facts, leading students through the thinking process.

Professors expect students to think independently and connect seemingly unrelated information.

Teachers often take time to remind students of assignments and test dates.

Students are responsible for knowing assignments and test dates.

Tutoring and study support may be a service provided as part of I.E.P or 504 plans.

Tutoring DOES NOT fall under disability services. Students with disabilities must seek out the same tutoring resources that are available to all students.

Student time and assignments are structured by others.

Students manage their own time and complete assignments independently.

Students may study outside of class as little as zero to two hours a week, and this may be mostly last-minute test preparation.

Students need to study at least three hours outside of class for each hour in class.

Parents have access to student records and can participate in the accommodations process.

Parents do not have access to student records without the student’s written consent due to FERPA.

Parent advocates for the student, with increasing involvement from the student over time.

Student advocates for self.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973

IDEA is about ensuring student success.

ADA is about access to programs and services. Success is the student’s responsibility.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or 504 Plan

Documentation guidelines specify information needed for each category of disability.

School provides evaluation at no cost to students.

Students must get an evaluation at their own expense.

Documentation focuses on determining whether a student is eligible for services based on specific disability categories in IDEA.

Documentation must provide information on specific functional limitations, and demonstrate the need for specific accommodations.