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Transition Into Higher Education Essay

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Across the United States, the group of students with disabilities who are attending colleges and universities have shown a tremendous growth. Data from the National Center for Educational Statistics (2011) indicates that 707,000 students with disabilities enrolled in 3,680 two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions in 2008-2009 (U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, 2011). This number will just continue to increase as more students with disabilities transition into higher education. The one thing that will not change is the public concern regarding accountability and assessment. The public is demanding proof of learner growth in the programs. In addition, federal legislation exists which prevents the discrimination of individuals with disabilities. Legislation including the Vocational Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in addition to others provide legal protection for students with disabilities in the academic learning environment. The students with disabilities receive accommodations on the same assessments which their non-disabled peers are taking to meet the legal requirements of accessibility. But there has been documented issues with the cost of these accommodations and the stigma of being singled out to take their tests in separate environments which goes against inclusion. Because the schools are limited by finances and staffing limitations, faculty are challenged to

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