IDEA Partnership1 Cradle to College / Career Pathway to Success for All Students Joanne Cashman, Ed. D. Director, The IDEA Partnership at The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) November 2012

IDEA Partnership 2 The IDEA Partnership acknowledges the contributions of cross- stakeholders, including persons representing,  Teachers,  General Education Administrators,  Special Education Administrators,  Related Service Personnel,  Families and youth,,  Higher education, and  Technical Assistance Providers -and- is deeply grateful to the Ready by 21 Initiative of the Forum for Youth Investment to allow use and adaptation of some of their slides to provide additional access to all education stakeholders. November 2012

Cradle to College and Career What do you think of when you hear these words…  What does it mean for educators?  What does it mean for families?  Is it for all students? November 2012 IDEA Partnership 3

Cradle to College and/or Career… Work together  Public and private  School and community Support success  Academic  Social  Occupational Recognize the benefits for the child…the young adult… and community Focus on starting early and following along! November 2012 IDEA Partnership 4

November 2012 IDEA Partnership 5 “Recent History Shows Setback” Education week, 2010

Dropping out… 7,000 leave school each day (775/day in CA) Source: Diploma Counts, ED Week, 2012 At this rate: 13 million will leave school in the next decade Economic impact (2009 dropouts)  Each costs the nation over $260,000 over his/her lifetime  If all had graduated, benefit of $335 billion to nation’s economy over their lifetimes November 2012 IDEA Partnership 6

Most likely to drop out… Academic performance Low grades Low test scores F’s in English and Math Few credits Retention Educational engagement Low engagement High absenteeism Poor school behavior Low extracurricular participation Poor relationships with teachers and peers November 2012 IDEA Partnership 7

CA is making progress..but still far to go! CA graduation rate is up by 5.5% Gaps still exist..  83% graduation rate for white students  59.2% graduation rate for Latino students Source: Diploma Counts, ED Week, 2012 Imagine the lost potential… when education matters more than ever! November 2012 IDEA Partnership 8

What about students with significant disabilities? Only 50% had employment as a goal on their Transition Plan Even for students that had employment as a goal…only 38% went to work. In CA,  15% of youth with disabilities are served in integrated work,70% are served in non-work settings and 15 are served in some combination  Source: Institute for Community Inclusion, 2012 Our vision for these students must change! November 2012 IDEA Partnership 9

Supporting students with significant disabilities… May not earn a diploma Can acquire academic skills Must develop social skills Must have work experiences Must have support in reaching the goal of working and living in the community November 2012 IDEA Partnership 10

Every student deserves the chance to succeed and have a fulfilling life! Looks different for different students No one view of success Individual paths Individual supports Common goal….a rich and fulfilling life that includes learning, relationships, work and community living. November 2012 IDEA Partnership 11

Good news… This year the Chairman of the National Governors ’Association (NGA) has Employment First as a national initiative! Employment First advances work as a goal for every individual! November 2012 IDEA Partnership 12

Expected outcomes for every student… Remain in school  Good attendance  Active learning Go on to college, advanced training and work Live as independently as possible in the community Participate in the community November 2012 IDEA Partnership 13

Thinking outside the box… IDEA Partnership November © The Forum for Youth Investment; Ready by 21

Thinking outside the box… IDEA Partnership At best, school only fills a portion of developmental space November © The Forum for Youth Investment; Ready by 21

November 2012 IDEA Partnership 16 The question isn’t whether learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom and school day help students prepare for and engage in life, work, and further learning. The question is why we are not working better together to take advantage of what everyone can do to help students learn everywhere and grow every year… Source: adapted from The Forum for Youth Investment; Ready by 21

Everyone has a role… School Family Community agencies and employers November 2012 IDEA Partnership 17

The education pipeline November 2012 IDEA Partnership 18 © The Forum for Youth Investment; Ready by 21

The Insulated Pipeline: TRICKLE UP! * Every year supports the learning in the next year. Every level knows about and acts on what comes before and after Every layer of insulation adds capacity:  Inner pipeline: Academic capacity in the individuals  First level of insulation: Capacity to support social, emotional, civic needs through schools and their partners  Outer level of insulation: Community capacity to support its citizens *Source: A conversation with Jose Melchior November 2012 IDEA Partnership 19

Early childhood Critical foundation years Focus of supports and interventions family  More than information sharing  Collaboration among agencies essential November 2012 IDEA Partnership 20

Key elements… early childhood Developmentally appropriate services  Therapies  Medical interventions Necessary family supports  Nutritional information  Counseling services  Transportation November 2012 IDEA Partnership 21

Support providers… Family members Child care / daycare Head Start Part C personnel Foster care Mental health Medical health Etc. November 2012 IDEA Partnership 22

Most Important: Our picture of what the future will be for this child! High expectations early  Graduate  Earn a diploma  Go on to college of training  Live in the community  Work  Have friends  Have interests Share your vision  Ask others to share your vision and help you reach it November 2012 IDEA Partnership 23

Elementary Introduction to school Focus of supports and interventions student Collaboration is essential  In-school services  Outside-school services November 2012 IDEA Partnership 24

Key elements… elementary Collaboration  School  Family  Agencies  Neighborhood/Communities  Business Leaders Clear communication  Culture and language  Use of technology November 2012 IDEA Partnership 25

Support providers… Schools  Title I, IDEA, Gifted, etc.  Breakfast and lunch programs Families Agencies and community after-school programs School-based mental health Medical health Faith-based organizations November 2012 IDEA Partnership 26

Middle School Exploring years  Social/emotional  Physical  Academic Focus of supports and interventions student November 2012 IDEA Partnership 27

Key elements… middle school What is appropriate for the age… and the child Integrate into academic courses  Social/emotional learning  Career exploration  Technology Clear communication Collaboration among all November 2012 IDEA Partnership 28

Support providers… School-based mental health Schools  Title I, IDEA, Gifted, etc.  Breakfast and lunch programs  After-school activities Families Agencies and community after-school programs November 2012 IDEA Partnership 29

Most important: Are we focusing on the whole child? Helping them to love learning Helping them to grow as individuals November 2012 IDEA Partnership 30

High School Last stepping stone into post-secondary education, employment, and adulthood Preparation for systems of the future Focus on transferable skills November 2012 IDEA Partnership 31

Key elements… high school Academic achievement Transition services  Self-advocacy  Career shadowing and work opportunities  Post-secondary education options  Mentors and coaches November 2012 IDEA Partnership 32

Support providers… Schools Families Mentor programs / internship programs Higher Education Career development specialists Vocational Rehabilitation Juvenile Justice / Probation Etc. November 2012 IDEA Partnership 33

Most Important: Early intervention for at risk of dropping out and focus on what is next 9 th grade is critical: absences, course failures, discipline reports can signal risk in the first semester Help students stay focused on what they need to do to achieve their goals Get them and their families the help they need November 2012 IDEA Partnership 34

Post-secondary & Employment Tomorrow’s jobs/careers  Most require post-secondary education  Some require Four-year degree Two-year degree Job-specific training  Few available for high school diploma only Many jobs for today’s kindergarten students have not yet been created or envisioned November 2012 IDEA Partnership 35

Who are the partners? Families Peer groups Schools and training organizations Higher education Youth-serving organizations Nonprofit service providers and associations Businesses (jobs, internships, apprenticeships) Faith-based organizations Libraries, parks and recreation departments Community-based health and social service agencies November 2012 IDEA Partnership 36 Source: adapted from The Forum for Youth Investment; Ready by 21 ? ? ?

Build systems that… Value, honor and support all youth Coordinate agency resources Support smooth transitions from year to year, developmental level to developmental level Emphasize child/youth growth in  Academics  Social/emotional well being  Health and fitness  Civic responsibility November 2012 IDEA Partnership 37

Systems that focus on… Balance  Academic & social/emotional skills  Physical & mental health  Family life and building independence Intentional transition plans from the beginning Collaboration  Families, schools, agencies, community services  Shared resources & responsibility November 2012 IDEA Partnership 38

Your involvement is key to the success of all our children and young adults! November 2012 IDEA Partnership 39

Additional resources November 2012 IDEA Partnership 40 The IDEA Partnership Breaking Ranks Breaking Ranks in the Middle School Ready by 21, Forum for Youth Investment

November 2012IDEA Partnership41 Reflections! Questions? Discussion. ? !. ? ? ! !.