Age Appropriate Transition Assessments YTP Statewide Conference Jackie Burr & Peter FitzGerald February 21, 2008 Hood River

IDEIA 2004 Says:  “Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team, and updated annually, thereafter, the IEP must include- (1) Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills” [ § (b)(1)].

Where does Age Appropriate Transition Assessment Fit In The Transition Process? Start thinking about transition planning for student (16 or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team) Determine what kind of diploma the student will receive (Oregon Diploma, School District Diploma, Modified Diploma, Alternative Certificate) Conduct age appropriate transition assessment Determine what agencies need to be involved

Where does Age Appropriate Transition Assessment Fit In The Transition Process? (continued) Write present levels of performance (preferences, interests, abilities) Write measurable annual goals (Know, be, and do informs instruction) Write post secondary goals (Influences course of study decisions) Determine transition services needed Determine course of study (related to the student’s postsecondary goals)

Age Appropriate Transition Assessment  Transition assessment: ongoing process of collecting data on the individual’s needs, preferences, and interests as they relate to the demands of current and future working, educational, living, and personal and social environments.  Age-appropriate: chronological rather than developmental age

Age Appropriate Transition Assessment—What Are They? Formal—  Adaptive Behavior/Daily Living Skills Assessments  General/Specific Aptitude Tests  Interest Inventories  Intelligence Tests  Achievement Tests  Temperament Inventories  Career Maturity/ Employability Tests  Self Determination Assessments  Transition Planning Inventories Informal  Interviews and questionnaires  Direct observation  Curriculum-based assessments  Environmental analysis

What’s Out There?  Formal vs. Informal Assessments “Store bought” assessments can be formal but not always. Formal Assessments can be free or very low cost per student to administer. Sometimes informal assessments tell you just as much. Quality vs. Cost? Discrepancy Models typically make up the most commonly used formal assessments. Multiple raters, discrepancies, focus. Remember: If you assess, you will learn something. If you learn something you will have do something.

Formal and Free Examples  Adaptive Behavior/Daily Living Skills  Interest Inventories  What else do you know about?

Free and Informal Examples  Person Centered Planning Tools  Learning Styles or Preferences _questions.html _questions.html  Study Skills _asses/studyskills.htm _asses/studyskills.htm  Fun  What else do you know about?

Formal, Informal and NOT Free!  ctLists.aspx?idCategory=15 ctLists.aspx?idCategory=15   htm htm  Look what happens when you “Google” the term: “age appropriate transition assessments”?

QUESTIONS?

Jackie Burr Peter FitzGerald