Managing the Transition Process Kyrene Special Education Parent Advisory Council (KSEPAC) January 8, 2015 Elementary to Middle and Middle to High School

Kyrene Special Education Shari Dukes Director of Exceptional Student Services Cindy Walters Special Education Teacher Specialist Lori Conroy Special Education Teacher Specialist

Tempe Union High School District Special Education William Santiago Director of Special Education

Transition Thoughts The purpose of a smooth transition is to ensure that the student begins the new year in a new school with all the necessary supports in place to allow him/her to be successful. Provide a high quality experience for each student and their family. Make appropriate transition plan for each student.

Process To ensure student success, new school staff needs to be made aware of the student’s needs and the necessary support(s) the student requires. Articulation meeting between current and new school special education teachers Discuss student strengths and needs Recommendations No IEP decisions are made

Special Education Eligibility Special Education services continue Student may have a 3 Year Re-evaluation to update assessment information in current school Same related service options (OT, PT, Speech) per IEP decision Educational services may look different Unique to High School Post-secondary Transition Plan Transfer of rights at age 18 Graduation Requirements

Transition Process IEP meeting Aug-Dec: begin discussions about new school program Dec-May: IEP meeting or addendum Discuss new school options Include service times on IEP May include middle school resource teacher

Re-Evaluation IEP and/or Re-Evaluation due in August Should be done in spring of 5 th grade or 8 th grade by current school or district

Open Enrollment (OE) Elementary to Middle School If a student is OE at an elementary, granted OE for feeder middle school, no application necessary If a different middle school, has to apply for OE OE is different from Least Restrict Environment (LRE) placement

Open Enrollment (OE) Middle School to High School OE for TUHSD is separate from Kyrene OE in Kyrene does not automatically mean OE in TUHSD OE policy is on TUHSD website Need IEP with Application Based on capacity at school Enroll at home high school while waiting confirmation Hold off transition meeting or sharing of information until OE acceptance Deadline for application is February 1

Transition Steps (HS) Students attend high school transition meeting Students and parents fill out and submit required high school registration paperwork Students and parents attend high school open house.

Transition Thoughts Power in Partnership  Communication is critical  Home and school  Current staff and new staff  Trust  All parties have the student’s best interests in mind  Process  If things aren’t working-revisit  Adjustment period

Differences between Elementary and Middle School All Students 5 different classes and teachers a day 68 min in a class (60 min on Wednesday) Academic Lab (30 min/4 days) Transitioning between classes Homework Electives Lunch! No Recess Extracurricular activities Students with Special Needs LRE option General Education Co-Taught Pull Out Resource Language Arts Math Extended Resource In other classes based on student’s needs

Differences between High School and Middle School Location Size Classes – choices, age variability, requirements Expectations (homework, behavior, credits) Responsibility (need to step up to the plate) Resource Support - varies Peers – tolerance of behaviors Access to teachers Seeking assistance – self advocacy Extracurricular activities (no pass, no participation) Security Zero Hour and 8th hour Movement from one grade level to the next State and District Tests

Graduation Requirements Twenty-Three credits must be successfully completed in the areas listed below to graduate from Tempe Union High School District Schools. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS English 4.0 credits Mathematics 4.0 credits Science3.0 credits World History and Geography1.0 credit American/Ariz. History1.0 credit U.S./Ariz Government0.5 credit Economics0.5 credit Health Education0.5 credit Physical Education1.0 credit Fine Arts/practical Arts/Vocational Education (CTE)1.0 credit Fine Arts/Vocational Education (CTE)1.0 credit Electives5.5 credits 23.0 credits For more information about class offerings, specific programs and course fees please refer to the Tempe Union High School District course catalog. Students IEP Team will determine the level of competency required to meet Arizona State Standards in reading, writing and math.

Resources (varies by school) Study Skills Class Math and Spanish Tutoring National Honor Society Tutoring Teacher Appointments/Office Hours Drop Out Prevention Coordinator Learning Lab Homework Lab Guadalupe Liaison Math Lab Freshman Boot Camp

High School Nuts & Bolts Typical Schedule Electives Core Extra Curricular Open Enrollment Process

High School Offerings High School Course Offering Booklet Required Courses Course of Study Pre-requisites Regular Education/Special Education listings EVIT (East Valley Technical Institute) Extra Curricular Activities Clubs

Students with disabilities are more likely to transition successfully if: They establish meaningful relationships with faculty and staff Feel connected to their school Establish meaningful relationships with peers Establish goals – make a connection between the here and now and their future Know and understand their disabilities and how to compensate for them.

Parent Information All Tempe Union High Schools will be holding an open house for middle school students and their families on January 12, at 6:00pm.

Questions

Next KSEPAC Meeting March 26, 2015