Smith Lee, Stephanie

Staff from the Think College National Coordinating Center presented on some current events related to inclusive higher education and activity from the NCC.

The National Coordinating Center Accreditation Workgroup submitted this statutorily mandated report to the US Department of Education Secretary in December, 2016, summarizing the work of the Accreditation Work Group and outlining the Model Program Accreditation Standards that were developed. HEOA required the National Coordinating Center to convene a workgroup of experts to develop model standards and identify the key components of higher education programs for students with ID.

This chapter in Think College! Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities provides the reader with a description of the most relevant current federal legislation and initiatives that support or have the potential to support access to PSE for individuals with ID and, it is hoped, promote greater utilization of these options. Systems-change efforts in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Massachusetts are also discussed, as are recommendations for policy, practices, and systems change.

This is the first Insight Brief published by Think College. The Higher Education Opportunity Act (P.L. 110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008 and it reauthorized the Higher Education Act of 1965. This law contains a number of important new provisions that will improve access to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. Of particular note are several provisions that address financial aid and that create a new model demonstration program and coordinating center for students with intellectual disabilities.