Perkins eLearning to Go logo and title: College Success Part 1: Getting Ready for Transitioning to College.
Story

Podcast: College Success Series

Powerful podcast about K-12 skills that students need in preparation for college!

The Perkins eLearning to Go podcasts cover a wide-range of topics related to working with students who are visually impaired. The current series, College Success, provides powerful information about the skills that students need before transitioning to college.

Leslie Thatcher, director of College Success @ Perkins, and Kate Katulak Higgins, currently Associate Director of Harvard University Disability Resources (UDR) and formerly associate director for the College Success program, share their unique perspectives.

College Success @ Perkins has evolved since the time of these recordings. To learn more about the current College Success initiative – which includes a virtual program for college-aspiring high school students and a robust College Readiness Resource Center for students, parents and educators – visit Perkins.org/College.

The College Success Part 1: Getting Ready for College Transition

This dynamic podcast takes a realistic look at the critical skills that need to be mastered in high school before transitioning to college. One determining factor is that students should be on or above grade level in reading – in their preferred reading medium, which may include auditory. Leslie shares that the average college student is required to read 150-200 pages of college-level materials per week. The podcast goes into details about what is expected in college and ideas on how to develop these expected skills by or in high school.

In summary, Leslie and Kate state that “…a college-bound student, by 11th grade, they should be able to read that quantity (150-200 pages a week), take notes independently, take the same exact multiple choice test/essay test that every single one of their peers is taking in that class with appropriate accommodation, such as extended time.”

Listen to College Success Part 1 podcast here.

The College Success Part 2: Technology

Technology skills is critical to college success; Leslie and Kate dedicated a whole podcast to technology skills and stated that they could talk for days about technology skills! Every single college course requires technology skills. So, when should students be taught technology? The earlier the better! Students should be intentionally taught technology and should master a variety of devices. Students should have different tech tools for different activities, including students with low vision.

While a K-12 student is successful using an electronic video magnifier, is that same student able to use that magnifier to read the 150-200 pages of college-level materials per week? In order for that student to have the option of listening to those pages, he/she should be introduced to auditory reading at a young age – not while struggling with his/her college course work. Who is responsible for teaching the 100+ JAWS commands and other pieces of technology?

Leslie and Kate discussed traditional TVI job description and shared information about new CATIS certification (Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist, a highly trained expert who specializes in working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired).

Read the transcript for College Success Part 2 here.

Summary

I strongly encourage TVIs/educators, students, and parents to review and discuss these College Success podcasts. What skills has the college-bound student currently mastered and what skills need to be worked on? Create a concrete plan to develop the pre-requisite skills now.

Is the student realistic about their skill levels and do they buy into the need to develop and fine-tune any necessary skills? Are the expectations of teachers and parents aligned with college success? Does the student have opportunities to regularly practice and build college readiness skills?

By Diane Brauner

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Photo of Kate explaining the tactile telescope model to a high school student.
Guide

Accessible astronomy: Tactile telescope

A smiling child holding a toy eagle
Activity

Bird song book and bird-related activities

EPIQ logo
Event

EPIQ (Experience Programming in Quorum) 2024