Westport Public Schools Special Education Transition Process November 29, 2006

Presenters Cynthia Gilchrest – Director of Pupil Services Robin Marino –Coordinator Preschool Barbara Beaman-Assistant Principal, SES Denise Emmerthal – Assistant Principal, BMS Lorraine DiNapoli –Coordinator, Special Ed. HS Peggy Bud- Coordinator Private school Special Services

Transition Process All levels

What to expect…. Transitions can produce some level of stress for the student and his family At each transition level, all parents (whether regular or special education) are participating in the transition process.  Therefore the special education process is integrated into the regular education transition process to make it as seamless as possible, yet comprehensive.

GOAL To have a successful transition for the student AND To provide the parents with the information they need

Birth to Three

Process Referral is made to the Westport Public Schools at least 90 days prior to the child’s 3 rd birthday PPT is for Birth-3 Transition and Pre-evaluation  If indicated, the PPT team designs an evaluation to determine eligibility OR  If indicated, the PPT team determines that the child no longer requires the PPT process to continue

Process Prior to the child’s 3 rd birthday  Convene a PPT  To review the results of the evaluation  To determine eligibility for services  If eligible for services, IEP would be developed Services would begin on child’s 3 rd birthday

Preschool-Kindergarten

Process November  Notify Vice Principals in each building  Identify those IEP’d students who will turn 5 by December 31 st of the following school year February-March  Staff from receiving elementary school observes the students in the preschool  Following observations, preschool staff and elementary school staff meet to discuss student’s needs and how they can be met in the K setting

Process Preschool staff discusses transition process with parents April-May  A transition PPT is held at the receiving school with representatives from both staffs and parents  Develop the IEP for the up coming school year  Preschool teachers complete the Pre-K profiles and send to building principals

Elementary to Middle School

Process November  Notify Vice Principals  Identify IEP’d students who are transitioning from 5-6 th grade the following year January  Staff observes the students in the Elementary School on an as-needed-basis  Staff observes middle school classes on an as-needed- basis  Middle School staff and Elementary school staff meet to discuss the students’ needs and how they can be met in Middle School setting  Elementary staff meets with Middle School staff to gain an understanding of the Middle School curriculum

Process Elementary staff discusses the transition process with parents Middle School Orientation  It is important for all parents to attend

Process May  Transition PPTs are held at the receiving school with representatives from both staffs and parents involved in developing the IEP for the up coming school year.

Middle School to High School

Process November  Notify High School Special Education Coordinator  Identify students who will be transitioning to 9th grade the following school year January  Coordinator  Meets with Vice Principals and some middle school staff to review students’ profiles, current programs, and projected special education and related service needs.

Process ● January to February  HS staff observes students on an as needed basis  Middle School staff observes selected classes on an as-needed-basis  Discussions regarding projected needs are held March-April  Parent meeting is held  To explain special education at the High School and the transition process  Transition PPTs held June  Students visit HS on an as needed bases.

Transitions To and From Outplacements

Out- of- District Placements Out-of District Coordinator  Facilitates the transition process  Participates in the PPTs  Facilitates the in-take process  Is the link between the parents, the out-placement, and the district  The process begins when a Planning and Placement Team recommends an out-of-district placement

Transitions From Out-of District Placement The PPT makes the final determination regarding a student’s transition back to the district Out-of-District Coordinator  Involves the home school is the entire transition process  Home school staff observes student in current placement  Home school staff participates in the PPT ● Transitions occur  Elementary and middle school levels  When appropriate during the school year  High School level  At the beginning of the school year or the beginning of a semester  For summer session, at any level, if determined appropriate by the PPT

Post High School Transitions College Vocational programs World of Work Adult Service Providers

Questions