The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008

[Guest guest]

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 was signed by President

Bush on August 14. The reauthorized Higher Education Act sets federal

higher education policy for at least the next five years. Included in

the Act are several provisions which EXPAND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.

" The new post-secondary education provisions will make post-secondary

education more available and affordable for thousands of students with

Down syndrome and other disabilities " , stated Steve Riggio of the

National Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors. The National Down

Syndrome Society led a successful effort to expand post-secondary

education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, and

to add the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into the

Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

Summary of provisions for students with intellectual disabilities:

* Allows students with intellectual disabilities, who are attending

programs designed for them in higher education, to be eligible for the

first time for Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

and the Federal Work-Study Program.

* Authorizes the development and expansion of high-quality,

inclusive model comprehensive transition and post-secondary programs.

* Authorizes the establishment of a coordinating center for the new

model programs. This center will provide technical assistance,

evaluation, and development of recommendations for model accreditation

standards as well as outreach and dissemination to postsecondary

programs, families and prospective students.

Ensure equal college opportunities for students with disabilities:

* Establishes a national center to provide support services and best

practices for colleges, students with disabilities, and their families.

* Helps colleges recruit, retain, and graduate students with

disabilities and improves education materials and facilities.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

The Higher Education Opportunity Act also contains numerous provisions

regarding the preparation of educators in early childhood, elementary,

secondary and postsecondary education settings to use the principles of

UDL in their instructional practices.

For more information go to:

<http://www1.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content & task=view & id=2061 & Itemid=

233>

http://www1.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content & task=view & id=2061 & Itemid=2

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REFERENCE POINTS is administered by PACER Center

<http://www.PACER.org> http://www.PACER.org

as a technical assistance activity of the TATRA Project.

The TATRA Project is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

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