The Cutting-Edge
It’s all about inclusion
Dr. Dedra Hafner
Dhafner@edgewood.edu
&
Dr. Courtney Moffatt
Cmoffatt@edgewood.edu
Edgewood College
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The Cutting-Edge,
Living the Mission of a Liberal Arts College
The Mission of Edgewood
College:
Edgewood College, rooted in the
Dominican tradition, engages students
within a community of learners
committed to building a just and
compassionate world.
The College educates students for
meaningful personal and professional
lives of ethical leadership, service, and a
lifelong search for the truth..
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There are 39 Four-Year Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges who have opened their doors to
individuals with significant disabilities
The Cutting-Edge is truly on the cutting-edge. This is the first college in
Wisconsin to engage in inclusion for adult learners!
Think College TTA Network
“Cutting-Edge serves a model for other
colleges”
Based on best practices for full-inclusion
Founded in 2007as a pilot project in
research study.
Cutting-Edge recognized as an
innovative program in Think
College, 2009.
“National Impact on Inclusion in College”
Going to College
Life-Long
Learners
Academic
Inclusion
Social
Inclusion
Resident Life
Employment
Career
Focused
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Faculty
Peer Mentors
The Cutting-Edge
Roommates
Staff
Classmates
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How do Cutting-Edge students
spend their time?
1200
1,120
Fall, 2009
audited 23 college
courses
1,120
1,088
992
1000
864
800
680
600
Fall, 2007
464
432
Fall, 2008
400
336 320
256
256
Spring, 2009
Time spent on campus:
Fall, 2008
5,088 hrs
Spring, 2009 7,928 hrs
*Access to On-Campus Housing began
Spring 09
200
0
Fall, 2009
6 out of 12 students live on campus
9 out of 12 students have moved away from parents
Spring, 2009
Cutting-Edge students
contributed 852 hrs of
Community Service
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Entrance to
Cutting-Edge Program
1. Cutting-Edge Application, Essay,
Reference, Transcripts, Photo
2. Selection Committee
Interview-candidate & parents
3. Cutting-Edge Letter of
Acceptance
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Impact on Peers
3 years of data provide consistent results
Peers Comfort Level with a Person who has a Cognitive Disability
Peer Survey Week 5
Peer Survey Week 14
Very Comfortable
55.60%
50.90%
40.70%
Comfortable
47.40%
Uncomfortable
Very Uncomfortable
3.70%
1.80%
95% of the students
surveyed felt
comfortable being
around a person with a
cognitive disability.
0%
0%
“I think this is a great program and am surprised it hasn’t been
done sooner.”
“Everyone should have a chance”
10
Julio had fun with the kids,
“They were really funny”
Service Learning
Brandon likes working
with children, “I think
it’s fun to help and
make new friends”
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Higher Education Opportunity Act
 Definition of Intellectual Disability
 Financial Aid eligibility
 Eligible programs
 Model Demonstrations (TPSIDs)
 Coordinating Center
Inclusive Academic Opportunities
 At least 50% focus on academic
components with students without
disabilities:
oCredit-bearing courses
oAuditing
oNon-credit-bearing, non-degree courses
oParticipating in internships or work-based
training
HEOA Eligible Program
 Physical Attendance
 Academic, career, and independent living
instruction
 Prepare for gainful employment
 Includes an advising and curriculum structure
 Provides students with intellectual disabilities
opportunities to participate in coursework and
other activities with students without
disabilities
Proposed Cutting-Edge
Postsecondary Certificates
Listening to what students want
•
Increase in Internships
•
Combination of Cutting-Edge Core courses
and concentration of undergraduate
courses
•
Majors & Careers course
•
Human Issues course
Under
Construction
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