Seeing college in the future

It looked like any other college fair. Representatives from schools stood behind colorfully decorated tables, handing out brochures and talking to students and parents.

But the event on May 11 in the Arlington High School cafeteria was meant to spread the word about postsecondary education options available to an often overlooked population -- special-education students.

The fair filled a need. At its height, nearly 200 teenagers and their parents crowded around the tables of 36 colleges and trade schools.

School officials say that by showcasing academic and vocational programs that provide support to young people with cognitive or other disabilities, fairs like the one on Arlington help special-education students prepare for a future of achievement and independence. The consistent message from behind the tables was, ''Yes, there is life after high school, and you can succeed in it."

Arlington is not the only high school that has held a special-education college fair this year. Woburn, Westford, Concord, Carlisle, Newton, and many other communities have had their own versions of the event. Frank Tassone, Arlington High School's coordinator of special-education programs, got the idea for the fair several years ago after hearing about a special-education question-and-answer night at Belmont High School.

Believing that other college fairs are ''too big and intimidating" for special-education students, Tassone worked with a committee that included parents as well as members of the Arlington High School guidance and special-education departments to create an alternative.

It started six years ago with only 15 to 20 schools and about 25 students and parents in attendance, but it soon became a much larger event.

''The regular college fair is mostly for juniors and seniors, but we invite all students in grades 9 through 12 from Arlington and surrounding communities to attend," said Tassone. ''It's important for special-education students to start thinking about their future early on."

Arlington High School has 191 special-education students out of a student body of 1,200. If last year is any indication, approximately 85 percent of them will go to college or enter a vocational training program after they graduate.

''More students who need academic support are applying to college," Tassone observed, ''and more colleges now realize they need to accommodate them."

Principal Charles Skidmore agreed with Tassone, noting that ''the special-education fair makes it clear that there is a college for every student who wants to go on to postsecondary education, and it demonstrates how much support colleges are willing to give all students as they make the transition to higher education."

The college fair opened with a panel presentation that included four participants: Tish Pieper, admissions counselor for the Program for the Advancement of Learning, or PAL, at Curry College in Milton; Susan Woods, director of disability services and the transition program at Middlesex Community College; Sean Garballey, a 2003 Arlington High special-education graduate; and Sharryn Gedeon, a 2005 special-education graduate of the high school.

Pieper led off by describing PAL, which was founded in 1970 and serves students with learning disabilities at Curry. PAL is a competitive program, with about 900 applicants vying for 180 slots. Students meet with PAL instructors for two hours per week and receive credit for their first year of participation.

''With the proper supports," said Pieper, ''PAL students can achieve anything."

Woods said the two most important things students need when making the transition from high school to college are self-advocacy and current test results.

''You have to be your own advocate" and ask for services, said Woods. She also observed that because accommodations are based on documented disabilities, the results of cognitive, neuropsychological, and achievement tests submitted to the college must be no more than three years old.

Woods added that since all community colleges have open enrollment and are nonresidential, they are well suited to students whose high school records are less than stellar and those who are not ready to live away from home.

Sean Garballey attends the University of Massachusetts at Lowell as a political science major and is a member of the Arlington School Committee. He told the audience that to receive disability services, it's important to form a close relationship with your college adviser.

''I want to make sure students know they can succeed. The key is to stay motivated," said Garballey.

Sharryn Gedeon, who is a freshman studying prelaw at Becker College in Worcester, said in an interview that special-education fairs are helpful because the college representatives know why students are there and don't ask embarrassing questions.

''I feel more confident at a special-education fair," Gedeon said. ''I don't have to hide anything."

Gedeon encouraged students to find and apply for scholarships, saying, ''They're everywhere."

''If you have a disability, don't be afraid to talk about it," Gedeon said. ''Keep your head up. Don't give up. Smile."