Life and Times of High Schoolers in the Merit Curriculum World Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan Kathleen Kosobud, presenter 2/27/13 1

Michigan Students with Disabilities 2/27/13 2

Study of Adults with LD Knowledge of A.D.A. and Section 504 Realities of disability self-disclosure Importance of self-determination* * Madaus, J.W., Gerber, P.J., & Price, L.A.(2008). Adults with Learning Disabilities in the workforce: Lessons for secondary transition programs. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice. 23(3), /27/13 3

(t)ransition to High School Participation in IEP: Self-Determination Risk Factors Attendance Behavior Credits, Courses, Connections School Size Relationships Course Selection Building mentorships 2/27/13 4

Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Years (your “to-do” list) Drivers Licenses MME, PSAT, ACT or SAT Documentation of disability Continuing education beyond high school Other post-high school options Entering the workforce Behavior and social maturity Encounters with the law Encounters in the community “Helicopter” or “Helpful” parenting? 2/27/13 5

High School Connecting the EDP to IEP and Transition planning Connecting EDP to High School Course Selection/Plan Michigan Merit Curriculum Diploma Certificate of Completion Personalized Curriculum 2/27/13 6

Michigan Merit Curriculum 4 English Credits 4 Mathematics Credits 3 Science Credits 3 Social Studies Credits.5 Civics.5 Economics 1 P.E./Health Credit 1 Visual, Performing or Applied Arts Credit 2 World Languages Credits (class of 2016) An online learning experience* *Michigan Dept. of Education, Personal Curriculum Guidelines, August /27/13 7

Personal Curriculum Area of curriculum affected by disability Lack of progress despite documented supports Plan includes parent monitoring Specifies the scope of the MMC covered Leads to a diploma Requires district and parent agreement 2/27/13 8

Organizing for Success Time Timers; reminders Charts, lists, calendars, planners Planning ahead 2/27/13 9

Organizing for Success Things Duplicates Pockets and other containers Attachments 2/27/13 10

Organizing for Success Ideas and Concepts Notes Writing Tests 2/27/13 11

Basic Study Aids Memory tricks (mnemonics) Note-taking Flash Cards and “rehearsal” systems Graphic organizers Technology tools 2/27/13 12

Assistive Technology Considerations Developmentally appropriate Allow access to the general curriculum Low-tech through Hi-tech By the end of high school, the goal is to be independent, self-determined users of AT 2/27/13 13

Accommodations in the Classroom Assignments, deadlines Approaching lectures, labs, and discussions Using time effectively Accommodations in the classroom Teacher-initiated supports 2/27/13 14

Testing Accommodations Accommodations are designed to level the playing field, not to invalidate the tests Tests of reading skills cannot be read to student Tests of math calculation cannot allow calculators Writing tests often do not allow spell- and grammar-checkers, although they can be word-processed. Extended time Instructions read (or on tape) for the student Setting Breaks Scribe 2/27/13 15

Need More Information? Contact: Michigan Alliance for Families us at Call us at /27/13 16