On-Campus Outreach Training Module © 2003 On-Campus Outreach, University of Maryland, Department of Special Education A Needs Assessment for Students Age with Significant Disabilities

Purpose of Needs Assessment u Students with significant disabilities u Ages 17 and older u Evaluate current services including: –Educational settings –Instructional Support –Inclusive Opportunities –Employment –Recreation –Adult agency eligibility –Travel ability

Outcomes of Needs Assessment  An established school committee  A defined population of students  A list of participating schools and students  An assessment of students’ educational setting, instructional support, inclusive opportunities, employment, recreation, adult agency eligibility, and travel training.  A list of needed changes in each category  An action plan for changes in high school  A determination if services need to be developed outside of the high school.

Assemble Committee LSS Director of Special Education LSS Teachers LSS Principal(s) Parents CBI Coordinators Transition Specialists Related services personnel Adult Community Agency Personnel Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Things to Consider for Committee Members  familiarity with students u potential to provide services or supports u availability to attend meetings u willingness to create change

Identify Population to be Assessed  the age of students  the school systems' disability classification or coding designation  the types of classes students attend or the curricular track in which the students participate  the number of years students have participated in high school  the type of alternative diploma (certificate) the student with receive upon exiting school.

Determine Participating Schools u Comprehensive high schools u Alternative schools u Special Schools u Vocational or Technical Schools

Identify School Teams and Timelines u Designate school team leaders u Review Needs Assessment Tool u Create timeline for meeting

Conduct Needs Assessment u Review Sample Form u Compile needs assessment data u Complete review questions with committee u Identify areas of change

Review Questions 1.Are changes needed for a particular age group (17-18 year olds) or are changes needed for all students? 2.What kinds of changes are needed? 3.Does the issue of student application for SSI, VR, or DD services or supports need to be addressed by current school personnel? 4.Does the amount of self-contained instruction for students need to be changed? 5.Does the frequency or variety of inclusive experiences need to be increased? 6.Should more students have paid jobs? 7.Do students need increased opportunities to participate in recreational or extracurricular activities with same age peers?

Review Questions Cont’ 8.How could the frequency and level of independence for students be improved by increasing their travel training? 9. Could the changes identified in Questions 1-8 be addressed in the current high school setting? 10. Do the changes identified in Questions 1-8 require the development of new services in a postsecondary setting such as a college campus or business site? 11. How will services provided in the postsecondary setting be different from what is currently available? 12. What setting is best equipped to meet students’ needs? 13. Which of the changes identified should be given the highest priority?

Examples of Changes u Employment u Inclusive Experiences u Extracurricular activities u Travel Training

Review Needs Assessment Data u Reconvene committee and school team leaders u Compile data from all schools u Review needed changes u Determine location for needed changes

Write Action Plan u Create plan for changes in high school u Create plan for changes to occur outside of high school