COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (DSPS)
Information for Oakland Unified Students Ages 18-22
Services provided to students with disabilities in K-12 are different from those at the
postsecondary level. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the
federal law that applies to education of students with disabilities in K-12, does not
apply to postsecondary schools. Laws governing postsecondary education
mandate equal access to instruction but do not require fundamental alteration of a
program. Students are expected to meet the same academic standards as their
non-disabled peers. That is, students are expected to do assignments, take tests,
and pass their classes and there is no differential curriculum provided for students
with disabilities.
It is crucial that staff working with students at the college understand the differences
between special education services provided in K-12 and services for students with
disabilities at the postsecondary level. (See attached chart.)
Role of Instructional Aides provided by OUSD
College of Alameda policy does not permit auditing of classes and no person is
allowed to attend a class unless enrolled in that class. (See catalog p. 53) The only
exception is if a student has an approved accommodation that requires the
presence in the class of another individual (e.g. a sign language interpreter or
personal attendant would be able to attend without enrolling.)
Generally speaking, students should be able to function independently in classes
without the presence of an instructional aide. However, in some cases an aide may
be appropriate, especially if there are concerns about safety, for example in PE
classes. In those cases, the presence of an aide (provided by OUSD) would be
considered an accommodation.
All accommodations, including the presence of aides in classes, must be discussed
with and approved by a DSPS Counselor prior to enrollment in the class. Once
approved, DSPS will send a letter to the instructor explaining that the instructional
aide is not an employee of DSPS but is in the class as an accommodation provided
by OUSD.
At the postsecondary level, students are responsible for working with college
professionals, setting goals, and advocating for themselves. COA is a good place
for students to practice self-reliance and self-advocacy. Thus, OUSD staff may
accompany students to the DSPS office, if necessary, to make appointments,
request class schedules, etc, but DSPS staff will not schedule appointments or
provide other information if the student is not present. We believe that students
should take on those responsibilities, with assistance if needed, when they are part
of our program.
It is essential that OUSD instructional aides are aware of their role and function in
the college classroom. What may be appropriate in a K-12 classroom is not
necessarily appropriate in a college classroom. For example, in a K-12 classroom,
aides may be involved in administering tests. At College of Alameda, test
accommodations are administered through the DSPS office. OUSD instructional
aides should not proctor or administer tests. In special circumstances, DSPS staff
may request assistance from an OUSD staff person if there is difficulty
communicating with the student.
Professional Behavior
Instructional aides in COA classes are expected to be familiar with the College
Code of Conduct (see catalog p. 44) and to model appropriate behavior for the
students. Students attending postsecondary classes are required to meet the same
behavioral standards as their non-disabled peers, whether or not a student’s
behavior is affected by his/her disability.
When aides are in the classroom, their behavior should be unobtrusive so as not to
disrupt instruction for all students. In order to avoid calling attention to the student, if
a student needs prompting in class, aides should provide non-verbal rather than
verbal prompts. Aides should refrain from asking and answering questions during
class, unless invited to do so by the instructor. Of course, it goes without saying
that IA’s (and students) should refrain from eating, talking on cell phones, etc,
during class.
Vocational Living Skills Classes
The instructors in the Vocational Living Skills classes have provided course
descriptions. For a student to be successful, functional reading and writing skills
should generally be at a 3rd grade level, at minimum.
Once a Vocational Living Skills class is full, the student will be placed on a waiting
list. We do not have the staff to open additional sections.
Release of Information
We cannot release information about students to parents or OUSD without the
written consent of the student.
We look forward to working together with Oakland teachers and instructional aides
in students’ best interests. If you have questions, please contact:
Helene Maxwell, Coordinator
Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities
College of Alameda
(510) 748-2326
Differences in Support Services Between High School and College
High School Support Services
The school district is responsible for
evaluating and documenting the
disability.
An IEP meeting is held to determine
placement and appropriate services.
Once a disability is documented,
services are made available and
included in the student's daily
schedule.
Special classes or placements must
be available for students.
Specific goals and objectives are
determined for each student
receiving services.
Parents are notified and must give
permission for any decisions
regarding their son or daughter.
College Level Support Services
Students are responsible for providing
current documentation of their disability
to the college.
Students working with college
professionals will determine if and/or
what services are appropriate.
Even after documentation has been
provided and appropriate
accommodations have been identified,
students must request the
accommodations each time they are
needed.
Students, with advice from their
counselors, set their own academic
goals.
Colleges are not required to provide
special classes or programs for
students with disabilities.
Parents are not notified of services
their son or daughter requests unless
the student grants permission for that
information to be released.
Students must advocate for
themselves.
Reevaluation of a disability is not
generally required if a student remains
continuously enrolled in the college.
Teachers, administrators, and
parents advocate for students.
Reevaluation of students is
conducted by the school on a
regular basis (generally every three
years.)
Students may be evaluated using
The laws mandate equal access to
differential standards and curriculum instruction but they do not require
may be fundamentally altered.
fundamental alteration of a program.