113. Navigating An IEP Or 504 Plan
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Release Date: 07/31/2020
651. GAME PLAN FOR THE ENHANCED ACT
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The unfolding changes to the ACT take effect everywhere in September. Are you ready? Let two nationally recognized experts in education–your hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast–help you understand both the ACT enhancements and how students should navigate them. This free Game Plan for the Enhanced ACT webinar was presented live as part of the Tests and the Rest Seminar Series. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How is the ACT changing? How does the Enhanced ACT compare to the Legacy test? What is the difference between the ACT and SAT? Which tests should...
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650. HOW CAN PAST POOR DECISIONS AFFECT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
To err is human, which makes adolescence a particularly intense expression of the human condition. Yes, we all make mistakes, but some are more glaring and likely to impact acceptance than others. But which ones? Amy and Mike invited student advocates Susan Stone and Kristina Supler to clarify how past poor decisions can affect college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What kinds of past poor decisions might hurt admissions chances? Can criminal charges prevent someone from getting into college? How can social misconduct impact college...
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649. AI AND THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
In a process with as many steps as choosing, applying to, and being accepted at a target higher education institution, small improvements in efficiency at any point can compound dramatically for both applicants and admissions offices. Amy and Mike invited ed tech entrepreneur Sam Bernstein to explore the current state of AI and the college admissions process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How is AI changing the way students search for colleges and navigate the application process? How should students and parents be using AI in the college process—and where should...
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648. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: May 2025
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How was the IECA Conference in Detroit? Was our presentation on Scaling Your Practice well received? What projects...
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647. THE PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF TEST SCORES IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The last thing anybody wants to do is sit for a meaningless test. Entrance exams like the SAT & ACT should be able to inform both test takers and target institutions about the likelihood of success at the next level. So do they? Amy and Mike invited educator David Blobaum to explore the predictive validity of test scores in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Research says that SAT/ACT scores are better predictors of success at Ivy-plus colleges than are high school grades–why? Have any other colleges beyond the Ivy-plus colleges made similar...
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646. ENROLLING IN A TRADE SCHOOL
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Not everyone assumes that life after high school automatically entails immediate enrollment in college. Many teens graduate ready to pursue a more practical education. Amy and Mike invited education market researcher Brady Colby to explain the implications of enrolling in a trade school. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is a trade school? What are recent trends for trade schools? Why might trade schools be getting more popular? How should parents or guidance advisors incorporate trades into post-high school planning? Are the rise of...
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645. TRUE COLLEGE ROI
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
One should not take on what is potentially the biggest expense of a lifetime lightly. Motivated students can absolutely make sure college pays off academically, socially, and emotionally; financially, though, can be a big question mark. Amy and Mike invited educator Gage Mersereau to define the concept of true college ROI. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does ROI mean in the context of college? What are the major factors to determine your true college investment? Why should plans after graduation factor into college plans? Why should ROI factors be understood...
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644. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: April 2025
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Amy and Mike been up to in the last month? How is Amy using ChatGPT? What is College Eagle? What updates...
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643. A TEST TAKER’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE ENHANCED ACT
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The ACT has been a remarkably stable exam, administered in roughly the same way for decades. However, a new version is on the horizon, and some intrepid souls have braved the uncertainty of the field test to experience it. Amy and Mike invited someone who sat for the April 2025 Enhanced ACT to share the test taker’s perspective. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What were your general impressions about the enhanced ACT test experience in the digital format? What did you find to be the same on the enhanced ACT? What did you find to be different on the enhanced ACT? ...
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642. GETTING READY FOR THE AP ECONOMICS EXAM
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The Advanced Placement exams represent some of the most challenging subject-specific standardized tests a high schooler might ever take, and AP Economics is no exception. Amy and Mike believe that every test warrants smart, serious preparation, so we invited educator Michael Rodriguez to share valuable strategies, insights, and resources for getting ready for the AP Economics exam. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is tested on the Macro vs Micro AP Economics exam? How do students score points on the AP Economics exam? What are the highest priority topics on...
info_outlineIndividualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans provide paths to procure formal help for K-12 students who struggle in school. However, pursuing these plans can be an education in themselves. Amy and Mike invited parent advocate Mary Jo O’Neill to explain the intricacies of navigating an IEP or 504 plan.
What are five things you will learn in this episode?
- What is the role of a parent advocate?
- What is the difference between a 504 and an IEP?
- How do you start the process to apply for a 504 and an IEP?
- Who qualifies and who doesn't for a 504 or an IEP?
- What happens if a student is denied a 504 or IEP?
MEET OUR GUEST
Special Education Advocate Mary Jo O’Neill, M.Ed., has a broad background in education. She began her career as a teacher in public and private schools, including Julie Billiart School. She was also an Advocate with Lawrence School. In addition to her time in the classroom, Mary Jo created a division within the Academic Support Center at Notre Dame College to provide quality educational opportunities and support services to students. Mary Jo most recently created her own consulting practice, in which she served as an Intervention Specialist and Parent Advocate for over ten years. She joined Hickman & Lowder in 2018.
Mary Jo serves on the national board of the International Dyslexia Association and is an advisor for the local branch and is also a member of the Julie Billiart Network Board. She authored the Forward of Expect a Miracle by Sandy and David Petrovic, Infinity Publishing (2014). Mary Jo graduated cum laude from Vermont College of Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She received her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University. She is a Licensed Intervention Specialist: Mild to Moderate Learning Disabilities.
Find Mary Jo at Hickman & Lowder at 216-861-0360.
LINKS
The Difference Between IEPs and 504 Plans
What do all these special education acronyms mean?
Using an ETR When Drafting an IEP
How do I apply for testing accommodations?
RELATED EPISODES
TRANSITIONING YOUR IEP OR 504 PLAN TO COLLEGE
TEST PREP FOR STUDENTS WITH ACCOMMODATIONS
INCREASED COLLEGE COSTS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
ABOUT THIS PODCAST
Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.