Employability Skills: Supporting Transition Planning for Students With Disabilities Tessie Rose Bailey, Ph.D. Dalia Zabala May 4, 2016 Copyright © 2016 American Institutes for Research. All rights reserved.

Welcome and Introductions 2

 RTI International is a research institute dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice.  RTI partnered with the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education to develop the Employability Skills Framework. RTI International 3

 Present importance of employability skills for students with disabilities.  Review the Employability Skills Framework.  Explore the connection between the framework and transition services for students with disabilities.  Review resources to support embedding employability skills into classroom activities. Agenda 4

Participants will do the following:  Understand what employability skills are and why they are important.  Understand connections between the Employability Skills Framework and efforts to support transition plans and series for students with disabilities. Objectives 5

Importance of Employability Skills for Students With Disabilities 6

Employment Rates for Persons With Disabilities Compared With Persons Without Disabilities Unemployment Rate Employment to Population Ratio Persons With a Disability (ages 16–64) 14.7%13.9%26.8%20.0% Persons With No Disability (ages 16–64) 7.2%6.0%70.7%71.7% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014) 7

Employment Outcomes for Persons With and Without Disabilities, by Age No DisabilityWith a Disability Employment Rate Ages 16 – %13.8% Employment Rate Ages 20 – %32.6% Unemployment Rate Ages 16 – %41.0% Unemployment Rate Ages 20 – %25.7% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014) 8

Employment Outcomes for Persons With and Without Disabilities, by Education Level No DisabilityWith a Disability High school diploma, no college (> 25 years old) 62.5% 14.3% Some college (> 25 years old) 69.5%21.3% Bachelor’s or higher (> 25 years) 75.9%26.1% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014) 9

IDEA Sec : Definition of individualized education program.  Transition services beginning at age 16  Postsecondary goals related to training, education, and employment  Course of study to reach goals Federal Requirements Under IDEA for Employment Training and Outcomes for Youth With Disabilities 10

IDEA Sec : Transition services.  Designed to facilitate movement from school to postschool activities, like vocational education and integrated employment (including supported employment)  Individualized services, such as community experiences and the development of employment and other postschool adult living objectives Federal Requirements Under IDEA for Employment Training and Outcomes for Youth With Disabilities 11

States are required to report data to the Office of Special Education Programs through the two following indicators in their State Systemic Improvement Plan:  Indicator 13 (NSTTAC Indicator 13 Checklist)  Indicator 14, Postschool Outcomes IDEA Monitoring 12

 Percentage of youth with individualized education programs (IEPs), age 16 and above, where the IEP demonstrates: Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals that are annually updated Use of age-appropriate transition assessments Transition services, including courses of study, that will reasonably enable the student to meet those postsecondary goals Annual IEP goals related to the student’s transition service needs Student participation in development of transition plan Community agency participation, if appropriate IDEA Indicator 13 13

 Percentage of youth who are no longer in secondary school, had IEPs in effect at the time they left school, and were: 1.Enrolled in higher education within one year of leaving high school 2.Enrolled in higher education or competitively employed within one year of leaving high school 3.Enrolled in higher education or in some other postsecondary education or training program; or competitively employed or in some other employment within one year of leaving high school IDEA Indicator 14 14

Transition Planning for Employment During High School  General education or vocational teacher is involved in approximately 40 percent of older students’ transition planning.  Postsecondary vocational training is planned for approximately 40 percent of students with disabilities.  The goal of supported employment is the transition goal for fewer than 10 percent of students with disabilities. Source: Cameto, Levine, & Wagner (2004) 15

 What do these data say about students with disabilities and the likelihood of their postschool employment success? Reflection Questions 16

What Are Employability Skills? 17

 Employability skills are cited as among the most important skills by employers (Hart Research Associates, 2015; Think Global and the British Council, 2011).  A lack of employability skills may contribute to a “talent shortage” (ManpowerGroup, 2012).  The demonstration of employability skills is correlated with better hiring rates, success on the job, and earnings (Lippman, Ryberg, Carney, & Moore, 2015). Importance of Employability Skills 18

Employability skills are the general skills and knowledge that are necessary for success in the labor market at all employment levels and in all sectors. Defining Employability Skills 19

Brainstorm activity: 1.On your own, generate a list of your top five most important employability skills for students with disabilities. 2.Record each skill on a sticky note. 3.Discuss your list with your table. 4.Remove duplicate skills. Activity: Identifying Employability Skills 20

Employability Skills Framework 21 The skills that enable individuals to interact effectively with clients, coworkers, and supervisors The skills employees need to successfully perform work tasks The thoughtful integration of academic knowledge and technical skills, put to practical use in the workplace

1.Referencing your table’s sticky notes, where would you place your employability skills? Effective relationships Workplace skills Applied knowledge 2.Discuss with your table. 3.Place your sticky notes on the appropriate chart paper. Activity: Categorizing Employability Skills 22

Effective Relationships 23 Understands teamwork and works with others Responds to customer needs Exercises leadership Negotiates to resolve conflicts Respects individual differences Demonstrates responsibility and self-discipline Adapts and shows flexibility Works independently Demonstrates a willingness to learn Demonstrates integrity Demonstrates professionalism Takes initiative Displays positive attitude and sense of self-worth Takes responsibility for professional growth

 How did your group’s list for effective relationships for students with disabilities compare with those in the employability framework?  Were you surprised by any of the skills included in the effective relationships skills? Are there any you believe are not applicable or are different for students with disabilities? Discuss and Share 24

Workplace Skills Manages time Manages money Manages materials Manages personnel Locates information Organizes information Uses information Analyzes information Communicates information Communicates verbally Listens actively Comprehends written material Conveys information in writing Observes carefully Understands and uses systems Monitors systems Improves systems Understands and uses technology 25

 How did your group’s list for workplace skills for students with disabilities compare with those in the employability framework?  Were you surprised by any of the skills included in the essential workplace skills? Are there any you believe are not applicable or are different for students with disabilities? Discuss and Share 26

Applied Knowledge Uses reading skills Uses writing skills Uses mathematical strategies and procedures Uses scientific principles and procedures Thinks critically Thinks creatively Makes sound decisions Solves problems Reasons Plans and organizes 27

 How did your group’s list for applied knowledge for students with disabilities compare with those in the employability framework?  Were you surprised by any of the skills included in the applied knowledge? Are there any you believe are not applicable or are different for students with disabilities? Discuss and Share 28

Employability Skills Framework 29

 How could the Employability Skills Framework be embedded in transition planning and services to help improve employment outcomes for students with disabilities? Discussion 30

Using the Employability Skills Framework to Strengthen Transition Plans and Services 31

Employability Skills Framework 32

 One-stop resource for information on employability skills for instructors, administrators, employers, and students  Key content: Interactive Skills Framework Assessment Comparison Worksheet Lesson Planning Checklist  Access audience-specific landing pages Employability Skills Framework Website 33

PLM Materials 34  Professional learning module  Presentation slides, handouts, and a facilitator’s guide  Free and customizable train-the-facilitator resources About Us Products & Resources Technical Assistance Ready for Success Blog Calendar & Events

Integrating Employability Skills: A Framework for All Educators Professional Learning Module 35 learning-modules/integrating-employability-skills

Summative Lesson Planning Self-Reflection Tool 36

Designing a Career Pathways System: A Framework for State Education Agencies Career Pathways Modules 37 modules

Lesson Planning Checklist 38

 Visual, consolidated overview of the many elements that impact a student’s ability to succeed in college and careers  Key content: Outcomes and Measures Resources and Structures Pathways and Supports Goals and Expectations College and Career Readiness and Success Center Organizer 39

 The Employability Skills Framework can guide assessment and transition plan development for employment (meet IDEA requirements).  Self-assessment can assist special education secondary teachers in evaluating their classroom instructional design because all students need access to this instruction and content. Using the Employability Skills Framework to Address IDEA Requirements 40

 To what extent are employability skills systematically embedded in transition plans and services across the state?  How can we support teachers in strategically embedding these skills across general education and special education?  How can we ensure that transition plans and services for students with disabilities reinforce employability skills? Action Planning and Next Steps 41

Resources  Employability Skills Framework,  Professional Learning Module: Integrating Employability Skills: A Framework for All Educators networks/professional-learning-modules/integrating- employability-skills networks/professional-learning-modules/integrating- employability-skills  College and Career Readiness and Success Center,

Cameto, R., Levine, P., & Wagner, M. (2004). Transition planning for students with disabilities. A special topic report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2). Menlo Park, CA: SRI International. College and Career Readiness and Success Center. (n.d.). Integrating employability skills: A framework for all educators. Retrieved from assistance-networks/professional-learning-modules/integrating-employability-skillshttp:// assistance-networks/professional-learning-modules/integrating-employability-skills College and Career Readiness and Success Center. (n.d.). The College and Career Readiness and Success Organizer. Retrieved from landscape/ccrs-organizerhttp:// landscape/ccrs-organizer Hart Research Associates. (2015). Falling short? College learning and career success: Selected findings from online surveys of employers and college students. Washington, DC: Hart Research Associates for the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from References 43

Lippman, L., Ryberg, R., Carney, R., & Moore, K. (2015). Workforce connections: Key “soft skills” that foster your workforce success: Toward consensus across the field. Retrieved from connections-soft-skills-small.pdfhttp:// connections-soft-skills-small.pdf ManpowerGroup. (2012) Talent Shortage Survey research results. Milwaukee, WI: Author. Retrieved from /pdf/2012_talent_shortage_survey_results_us_finalfinal.pdfhttp:// 2012/pdf/2012_talent_shortage_survey_results_us_finalfinal.pdf U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2014). Persons with a disability: Labor force characteristics—2014. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). Employability skills framework. Retrieved from References 44

45 Dalia Zabala Thomas Jefferson Street NW Washington, DC | Tessie Rose Bailey, Ph.D Thomas Jefferson Street NW Washington, DC National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) CEEDAR Center Center for Response to Intervention (CRTI)