Colleges generally consider recent documentation of a disability to be within the last two to three years, so an evaluation from 7th grade would not count.
True
False
True: A similarity across colleges is that they want “recent” documentation of a disability, which is often defined as being within the last two to three years of applying for accommodations. While some schools will issue “provisional” accommodations while waiting for documentation to be updated, others will not. It is always best to have the student re-evaluated during their senior year of high school to provide recent documentation for college if they plan to request accommodations.
Question 2
If a student decides not to seek accommodations then later discovers that they actually needed them, they can apply for them then re-take their exams with them in place.
True
False
False: Colleges assert that there are no “do-overs” when it comes to academic accommodations. If the student chose to conceal the fact that they had a disability the outcome of that is their responsibility. Even if a student suddenly realizes that they do need accommodations it may take some time to get them in place. Delays for the review of documentation usually run two to six weeks for the college departments, and if the documentation is found to be inadequate the student will have additional delays to get the correct kind.
Question 3
If a student has an IEP or 504 Plan they will automatically receive the same academic accommodations for college.
True
False
False: Many colleges will not accept Individualized Education Plans and 504 Accommodation Plans as evidence of a disability because they are plans, not diagnostic evaluations. Some colleges want the actual evaluation the plans are based on, which must include specific sections like testing, recommendations, and a statement of the functional impairment of the student’s disability in the educational setting.
Question 4
Some colleges do not consider a psychiatric evaluation as valid documentation of Attention Deficit Disorder.
True
False
True: Every college is permitted to make their own determination whether they feel a student merits academic accommodations in their environment, which includes setting their own documentation standards. Some colleges require that neuropsychological or psychoeducation testing be performed to show a student has Attention Deficit Disorder. Since psychiatric evaluations typically do not encompass this kind of testing, they may not accept it to demonstrate the need for accommodations, even if other schools will accept it.
Question 5
There is a uniform standard for higher education that specifies the criteria to show a student deserves accommodations for college.
True
False
False: There are no uniform rules in the higher education system that specify the requirements a student must meet to demonstrate they need academic accommodations in college. Colleges are permitted to set their own documentation requirements, and while some have very reasonable requirements others may be very stringent. It is an important college planning issue that documentation guidelines be checked if a student may need accommodations in that setting.