Bob Spieldenner
bobspieldenner@schev.edu
(804) 718-9443 (cell) 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2025

Two recent reports on students with disabilities by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) identify the need for better data collection, as well as improvements to the transition process between high school and postsecondary education. The reports make several recommendations for higher education institutions, state agencies and policy leaders.

The Postsecondary Education Transition and Planning Services: Barriers and Recommendations report recommends:

1. Standardizing high school and higher education documents, such as Individual Education Programs (IEP).
2. Strengthening student preparation by building self-advocacy, self-determination and independent living skills.
3. Expanding postsecondary opportunities.
4. Improving collaboration and support, including formalizing relationships between SCHEV, the Virginia Department of Education, educators and disability services professionals.

The Students with Disabilities in Higher Education: Strengthening Persistence and Success analysis found that, while we know Virginia students in higher education have steadily increased in recent years, we lack sufficient state-wide data to inform decision making. We do know that nationwide persistence and degree completion for students with disabilities lags behind their peers.

The analysis recommendations include:

1. Linking K-12 and higher education data to allow longitudinal analysis.
2. Publishing annual campus-level retention and graduation data for students with disabilities.
3. Adding disability/accessibility offices to standard campus tours.
4. Training faculty to make learning more inclusive for all students.
5. Requiring campuses to self-assess and enhance their disability services practices.

###