ASDNext Educational Differences Between High School and College

Overview

This information sheet highlights some of the differences students experience between high school and college.

High school is mandatory and usually free
Student’s time is structured by others
Students can count on parents and teachers to remind them of responsibilities and to help set priorities
Students aren’t responsible to know what is needed to graduate
Parents may help with advocacy and communication

Class sizes are generally small (20 kids)
Students usually take the same classes for an entire academic year
Students go from one class directly to another, spending a full day in classes
Most classes are arranged for the student
Students may not need to study much outside of class, listening during class may be enough
Students are expected to read short assignments that are discussed and re-taught in class

Teachers check homework and remind students of incomplete
work
Teachers approach students to provide help
Teachers provide information when students miss classes
Teachers present information to help students understand materials in the textbooks
Teachers write notes on the board to be copied
Teachers remind students of assignments and due dates Teachers monitor class attendance

College is voluntary and usually not free
Students manage their own time
Students are responsible for themselves and setting priorities
Students are expected to know graduation requirements that
apply to them and can be complex and differ from year to year
Students are responsible to advocate for themselves

Classes will vary in size from small to large (20-100+kids)
Academic year is divided into semesters, with different classes
taught each semester
Students often have hours between classes, with times varying through the day and evening
Students arrange their own schedules
Students typically need to study 2-3 hours outside of class for each hour in class
Students are assigned large amounts of reading and writing
which may not be reviewed or discussed in class

May not check homework or remind students of incomplete work
Expect students to initiate contact if help is needed and expect students to attend office hours
Expect students to get missed information from classmates
May not follow the textbook and expect students to relate class
discussions to the text
Expect students to identify important points discussed in your
own notes and may not write things down
Expect students to read and follow the course syllabus for assignments, due dates and grading
May or may not take attendance

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This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.