Education/Training

Directory of Career Schools in Pennsylvania:

If your student is considering attending a Career School in Pennsylvania after high school graduation, use this list as a reference of some Career Schools you and your student could research.

Directory of Two-Year Colleges in Pennsylvania:

If your student is considering attending a Two-Year College after high school graduation, use this list as a reference of some Two-Year Colleges you and your student could research.

Directory of Four-Year Colleges in Pennsylvania:

If your student is considering attending a Four-Year College after high school graduation, use this list as a reference of some Four-Year Colleges you and your student could research.

The Range of Options for Postsecondary Training:

This resource discusses the different types of postsecondary training and education students can pursue after high school graduation.

Exploring the Option of a Two or Four Year College:

This guide describes considerations for family discussion when deciding to pursue a two or four year college.

Exploring College Options:

This document discusses when/why to attend a two-year versus a four-year college, how to plan ahead, and questions and answers.

The Costs of College:

This provides a realistic account of what students should expect to pay for the different types of postsecondary education. It also shows students how much more they can expect to pay for room and board.

Which Standardized Test is for You:

This resource discusses the various types of college readiness testing and how to know which assessment, if any, to take. It also shares strategies to assist with testing anxiety and differences between the two main types of college readiness assessments - ACT and SAT

Secondary Transition Guide:

This website provides youth, young adults, parents, and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress towards postsecondary goals related to education, employment, and community living. Click on the link to view the Secondary Transition Guide.

Myfuture.com - Planning for College:

This is a one-stop-shop on all information regarding planning for, applying to, paying for, and attending college. Specifically, it provides information on planning for college, taking college entrance exams, testing tips, choosing a college, application process, applying for financial aid, what to bring to college, and what to expect regarding campus life.

Educational Differences Between High School and College:

Access this resource to see what to expect in college regarding responsibility, class size, and professors. In addition, it explains the differences between disability laws in regards to secondary and postsecondary settings and teacher and student responsibilities.

PA Career Zone:

Visit this site to gain insight into transferring credits.

SOAR:

SOAR stands for Students Occupationally and Academically Ready. This handout explains the advanced credit transfer that may be available to students if they continue schooling in their program area. This handout also provides the website that you can visit for additional information.

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education - Know your Rights and Responsibilities:

This is a booklet that discusses the rights and responsibilities of a college student. It presents the information in a question and answer format that is easy to follow.

Checklists for Assessing Colleges for Accessibility:

This offers a set of questions a student should be asking him or herself when looking for the best college to suit his or her needs.

Are you Ready for the Responsibility:

This is an evaluative tool for students to use to see what skills/knowledge they already possess and what they may need to continue to improve upon.

Differences between IDEA IEP's, 504 Plans, and College Accommodations:

Refer to this resource to learn about the differences between IDEA, 504 Plans, Individualized Education Plans (IEP's), and college accommodations. This also informs students about what they need to do to get accommodations at the college level.

Entitlement vs. Eligibility:

This 1-page guide describes the differences between entitlement and eligibility for services. In high school, students with disabilities are covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) where they are entitled to services. Once they graduate, they are eligible for services under the Adults with Disabilities Act (ADA) where supports and accommodations are determined through the requirements of the postsecondary agency. This guide covers postsecondary education, employment, independent living, and self-advocacy.

How is College Different from High School:

This resource describes several differences between college and high school such as: following rules in high school vs. being responsible in college, going to classes in high school vs. succeeding in college, tests in high school vs. tests in college, and grades in high school vs. grades in college.

Guide on Transition for Youth with Disabilities:This is published by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). The guide includes: transition planning, transition services and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act, education and employment options, and supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities. Click on the link to the view the Guide on Transition.

Requesting Accommodations in High Education:

In this resource, families will learn about how their student can request accommodations at the college level. It also discusses considerations the college looks into before granting a student with the requested accommodations.

The Differences between High School and College:

Check out this resource to learn about the following differences between high school and college: high school teachers vs. college professors, high school testing vs. college testing, high school grades vs. college grades, general differences between high school and college, high school classes vs. college classes, high school academic adjustments vs. college accommodations, random facts about college, and how students can better make the transition to college.

Postsecondary Education Expectations:

This 1-page guide describes differences between high school and postsecondary education.

Preparing for the Transition to Adulthood (Part 1):

This article discusses ways that parents/guardians can prepare their student for changes that will occur when they transition to college. It shares the importance of building a student's ability to motivate him or herself prior to high school graduation and how having strong academic skills is usually not enough to allow a student to succeed in college. It also provides tips on how parents/guardians can assist their student to become more independently motivated.

Preparing for Transition to Adulthood (Part 2):

This article is a continuation of the first article and begins with a list of questions parents, teachers, and students should consider when determining realistic postsecondary goals. It also provides some information on the differences in expectations between high school and postsecondary education.

Face-to-Face with a Recruiter:

This short article gives you suggestions for questions that you may want to ask when meeting with a recruiter.

Military Basics:

This resource provides concise information about each branch of the military, as well as their websites in order to acquire more in-depth information about each branch of service.

Military News:

This article provides websites for you and your student to visit in order to gain information about possible military careers as well as phone numbers to reach out for more information. In addition, it provides information about the number of people enlisted in different careers within the military.

Military Training and Careers in the Armed Forces:

This resource provides an explanation of military service and eligibility requirements. In addition, it provides a list of contacts in order to gain additional information.

Myfuture.com - Military:

This is a one-stop-shop that provides information on military service in regards to joining and serving. In particular, it provides information about types of military service, enlisting in the military, becoming an officer, college assistance, common military questions, preparing for basic training, military benefits, and military life.

Creating a Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID):

This piece provides what an FSA ID is, who should create one, when you should create an account, and what you need to create an account. It also explains how to create your FSA ID.

College Preparation Checklist:

This resource walks you through the different types of financial aid, why to get a student loan, and who gets student aid. It also talks briefly about scholarships. In addition, this resource discusses what students should be doing to prepare for post-secondary education as early as elementary school. Toward the end of the document, it talks about deadlines for completing the FAFSA application.

The FAFSA Process:

This resource is an at a glance resource that provides information about the FAFSA process, preparing for the process, filling out the FAFSA, and processing the FAFSA.