High School
| College
|
| High School is mandatory and free (unless you choose other options) | College is voluntary and expensive
|
Others usually structure time
| Students manage their own time
|
| Parents and teachers often remind students of their responsibilities and guide them in setting priorities | Decision-making is largely the student's The student must balance their responsibilities and set priorities
|
Classes are structured and scheduled one after the other
| There are often hours between classes; class times vary throughout the day and evening
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6 hours each day - 30 hours a week - are spent in class
| Approximately 12-16 hours each week are spent in class
|
Classes are arranged
| Each
student decides his or her own schedule in consultation with an
academic advisor. Schedules tend to look lighter than they really are
|
Teachers carefully monitor attendance
| Professors may not formally take roll, but they are still likely to know whether or not you attended
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Classes generally have no more than 35 students
| Classes vary greatly in size and may include 100 or more students
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Textbooks may be provided at little or no expense
| Substantial funds must be budgeted for textbooks
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A counselor guides course selection and monitors credits
| Each student must know the requirements for their major and program of study
|
| Teachers remind students of assignments, due dates and incomplete work | Professors
may not remind students of incomplete work. They expect you to read
save and consult the course syllabus (outline); the syllabus spells out
exactly what is expected, when it is due and how it will be graded
|
Teachers approach you if they believe assistance is needed
| Professors are usually open and helpful, but most expect the student to initiate contact if assistance is needed
|
| Teachers are often available for conversation before, during or after class | Profressors expect and want you to attend their scheduled office hours
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Teachers provide information missed if you are absent
| Professors expect students to obtain notes from their classmates if they miss class
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| Students are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed, and often re-taught in one class | Students are assigned substantial amounts of reading and writing, which may not be directly addressed in class
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Students generally receive assignments in both written and oral form, and hand those assignments in during class time
| Students are often required to use email and the Internet for communication, class projects, submitting assignments, etc.
|
| Through
vehicles such as the IEP students, parents, teachers, counselors and
support staff work together to ensure that student needs and
accommodations are provided | Students not
teachers, counselors or parents must be able to identify their
disability, provide documentation and request accommodations and
supports
|
| Students are usually corrected if their behavior is inappropriate. | Many moral and ethical decisions will arise. Students must take responsibility for their actions and decisions
|
Review sessions are often held prior to tests.
Test questions are usually directed at the ability to clearly recall
what has been learned. Make-up tests are frequently available
| Students
must work independently to prepare for tests. Review sessions by
professors are rare. Students often must be able to apply information
in new contexts. Make-up tests are unusual
|
| Students are not responsible for knowing graduation requirements | Students must know and ensure they complete graduation requirements, which are complicated and may change |