SOUTHWICK – Some special education students at Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School are finding life in college is pretty good.
Two students are joining others from adjoining communities at a new program at Westfield State University that introduces students with special needs to higher education and all it brings through the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (ICE) program.
ICE Coordinator Lyndsey Nunes offered an overview of the program to the STHR School Committee last night and said the Southwick students are thriving in ICE.
“They have really embraced this,” she said.
ICE is a state-funded program that supports partnerships between Massahusetts high schools and public colleges. It offers students with intellectual disabilities ages 18-22 opportunities to participate in college courses and college life.
Nunes said the students take an academic class and spend time on campus with typical students who serve as mentors.
“They can audit the class or take it for credit,” noted Nunes.
Nunes said she was amazed at the support fro WSU students for the program and told the committee that a student approached her the first day and asked to participate in the program. He then ate lunch with the Southwick students every day and has brought other student mentors into the program.
“We now have over 50 peer mentors,” she said.
ICE was initiated just 10 years ago and few states participate.
“Massachusetts is taking the lead on this,” said Nunes.
Because it is fairly new, the data is still considered preliminary, but it already shows successful results, including a higher rate of employment, pay and quality of life for ICE participants.
Special needs teacher Judi Bean has worked closely with Nunes and said ICE has really helped the students see their future possibilities.
“The kids are so excited to be in college,” said Bean. “They want to be with kids their age.”
