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ERIC Number: ED675399
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Becoming College Bound: An Overview of the Admissions Process and Eligibility Criteria for Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability. Insight: A Think College Brief on Policy, Research, & Practice. Issue No. 68
Carly B. Gilson; Alison Prahl
Institute for Community Inclusion
Preparing for college is an exciting and stressful process often filled with anticipation and uncertainty. It is important for prospective students, their families, and educators to understand the admissions process and expectations that inclusive postsecondary education programs hold for incoming students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Although it is quite different from the traditional college admissions process, there are many similarities. However, there is no standardized admissions process for postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disability, which can leave prospective students and families with a lot of questions and confusion about the process and the eligibility criteria required to "think college." In a research study published in Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, Gilson and colleagues (2024) summarize a mixed methods study that explored the admissions process and eligibility criteria for programs that support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The researchers used a national online survey and virtual interviews with postsecondary education program staff to learn about the skills, behaviors, and qualities most commonly valued during the admissions process. They also explored the steps and timeline of the admissions process. Research participants represented 62 programs across 32 states. The study's findings revealed that postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disability generally prioritized functional skills and social behaviors rather than academic skills. This article demystifies the admissions process by highlighting the key take-aways from the study and share helpful tips for prospective students, families, and educators to prepare for college.
Institute for Community Inclusion. University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125. Tel: 617-287-4300; Fax: 617-287-4352; e-mail: ici@umb.edu; Web site: http://www.communityinclusion.org
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Postsecondary Education (ED)
Authoring Institution: University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)
Grant or Contract Numbers: P407C210001
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: N/A