Welcome to ReThink Higher Education Consulting
We offer consulting on curriculum, organizational change, and funding models for colleges, universities, and public benefit organizations to help develop comprehensive programs for students challenged with intellectual disabilities* and learning disabilities**.

ReThink Higher Ed™ is about a bold change in higher education — Passport: The Degree Program for Unique Learners™. This college degree program is designed to prepare highly motivated young adults challenged with intellectual and learning disabilities for careers and more self-sufficient, fulfilled lives, with meaningful participation in society.

This program was originally developed and tested at a community college in Washington State. It is time to take this program to a national level. Courses in the three domains of academics, social and life skills, and workplace development are integrated and taught by committed, highly trained faculty. Classes are experiential and fun in nature, with an emphasis on problem solving, cognitive processing, teamwork, career skills, and helping the students understand their own strengths and challenges. Students are constantly involved in improving their own program.

To date we have 52 separate courses, an alternative assessment system, and all other supporting materials available for dissemination, replication, and implementation. Students completing the program can earn a 90-credit non-transferable Associate in Essential Studies. This selective program was designed to meet standard requirements for college accreditation. This is not considered a “life skills” or “transition” model program. Consultation services are also available to those who are just beginning to think about the possibilities this program offers. Additionally, telephone consultations are available to parents and/or students.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings recently made recommendations based on findings from the Commission on the Future of Higher Education:

"There is an urgent need for change in America's higher education system," said Secretary Spellings, "We know higher education is the key to our children's future..."

"While our universities are known as the best in the world, 90-percent of the fastest-growing jobs require post-secondary education and only one-third of Americans have a degree," said Secretary Spellings, "Over the years, we've invested tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer money and just hoped for the best—we deserve better. To remain competitive in the 21st Century global economy, we must act now and continue the national dialogue and work together to find the right solutions."

For the full text see http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2006/09/09262006.html.

Our theory in action is that the student population can complete the learning process required to earn a degree given the right educational approach. This is a radical idea for postsecondary education but an idea whose time has come. We have heard that college is only for smart people. We believe college is for people who want to learn. It is time to stop wasting the untapped potential of millions of unique learners. It is time to get past the old-style fixed IQ view and traditional classroom assessment and design. If not now, when? The time is right. The program is here.


*Intellectual Disabilities: refers to students with significant learning, cognitive, and other intellectual disabilities whose disability impacts their ability to access a general education curriculum without a strong system of educational supports and services.

**Learning Disabilities: refers to various cognitive, neurological, or psychological disorders that impede the ability to learn, especially one that interferes with the ability to learn mathematics or develop language skills.