Massachusetts Inclusive Higher Education at 4Cs

A Building Block for the Future

• The mission of inclusive higher education is to provide college experiences that increase self-determination, dignity and worth
• Students share the same experiences as their college aged peers in the areas of academics and socialization
• With additional supports in place, 4C’s Inclusive Higher Education students may enroll in courses for credit or as an audit experience, attend clubs and campus events, and socialize with peers
• Inclusive Higher Education has been tremendously successful as students gain independence, further develop social and communication skills, and are actively engaged in creating their lives

Participation of students 18-22 years of age is contingent on a partnership agreement with the student’s sending high school district. 4C’s Inclusive Higher Education is partially grant funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Department of Higher Education. For students receiving transition services through their districts, the partner districts contribute to the overall cost of the program. This agreement helps support the costs including tuition, books, and related supplies. 4Cs Inclusive Higher Education students benefit from campus services offered by the O’Neill Center, which is the college disability student services, as well as tutoring, coaching, student engagement and advising.

For those students over aged 22, the fees are the responsibility of the student. Educational coaching support may be provided by the college (subject to grant appropriation), or in collaboration with Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), Developmental Disability Services (DDS) or other agency.

Inclusive Higher Education at 4Cs welcomes students to apply who meet the following criteria.

Young adults 18-22 who are:

• Are currently enrolled in one of our partner public high schools
• Are tier one students who are eligible for special education services and have not passed the MCAS exam; or Tier two students who have passed the exam with great effort and are eligible for a Massachusetts diploma, and are still eligible for special education transition services
• Have a diagnosis of an Intellectual/Developmental Disability and/or Autism
• Are referred by their special education advisors and directors
• Have identified their personal transition goals from high school to post high school in an IEP or Person Centered Plan

Adults over age 22 who:

• May have been participants through their school district transition services
• Have a documented Intellectual/Developmental Disability and/or Autism with supporting IEP and documentation
• Are eligible to receive services through MRC, DDS and/or other agencies that can help fund aspects of a students individual service plan.
• Have completed at least four years of high school, have not attained their diploma, are no longer enrolled in a school district or receiving special education services under IDEA.
• Participated in inclusion classes while in high school 
• Are eager to continue education in a fully inclusive college setting 
• Will commit to full year of coursework 
• Express interest in living and working as independently as possible in the community after completing their course of studies  
• Able to identify job-related interests and career goals   
• Can adhere to the college's Code of Conduct