A Transition Vision for Louisiana: Clues in the Postschool Outcome Data Dr. Lynda Price -Temple University Dr. Paul Bole -University of New Orleans Dr. Donna Wadsworth - University of Louisiana at Lafayette Dr. Keita Rone Wilson Louisiana Dept. of Education Louisiana CEC Super Conference on Special Education January 26, 2010

What is Postschool Outcome Data? IDEA mandates that all states must file a State Performance Plan & Annual Progress Report There are 20 Indicators under Part B—Indicators 1 (graduate with a regular diploma), 2 (drop-outs), 13, and 14 apply to transition and secondary edu Indicator 13 (IEP postsecondary transition goals) Indicator 14 (postschool outcomes)

Data Collection Efforts in Louisiana How is the data Collected? Surveys are conducted at three different intervals: a)High school exit b)One year after high school exit c)Three years after high school exit Who Collects the Data? Transition Facilitators and local Transition Core Team Members What is done with the Data?

Objectives of the Project: Assist in effective collection, analysis, and dissemination of Postschool Outcome Data (with a special focus on outcomes for Indicator 14) Explore what students with disabilities and their families are actually doing throughout the state as they transition into adulthood Share what is used to facilitate successful self- determination, agency collaboration and transition on the local level.

Louisiana Data: Total Employed or Continuing Education Means from overall population = 4,738 for the school year Originally reported by individual parish Reported as a percent of the total students contacted Parishes could vary widely, based on urban, rural, or suburban locations Main concern: Combined employment and education

OVERALL MEANS: VARIOUS EXIT CODES These percents are based on the total data set for Overall sample is 4, 738 students. Four ways to exit the special education system: drop-out, graduate with a regular high school diploma, age out at 22, or earn a LA certificate New range of school certificates also included

Louisiana PSO Data Students with Exceptionalities Disability Autism = 1.93% Blindness = 0.35% Emotional Disturbance = 6.26% Hearing Impairment = 1.58% Specific LD = 53.44% Mental Retardation = 15.46% Orthopedic Impairmt= 1.52% Other Health Impairmt = 14.05% Speech or Lang Impairmt = 1.75% Traumatic Brain Injury = 0.78% (LA PSOD ) Gender Males = 66.1% Females = 33.39% (LA PSOD )

National Statistics to Frame the Louisiana Data: Prevalence of adults with disabilities throughout the United States by age and gender National employment figures for adolescents and adults both with and without disabilities by gender Poverty rates for people both with and without disabilities by age These slides from the 2000 U.S. Census can give us clues about adult outcomes and suggest areas for further research.....

Total Americans with Disabilities PAUL INSERT NEW Figure 2 SLIDE HERE…..

Total Americans with Disabilities Employed

Total Poverty Rates PAUL INSERT NEW Figure 8 SLIDE HERE…..

Interviews with Stakeholders Who? Key stakeholders (i.e., students with disabilities, their families, local schools/agencies ). What? A series of personalized conversations about students with disabilities and Indicator 14. Where and When? Various Louisiana Regions and parishes. Conducted on-site if possible during Why? a) To put a “face” on all of the Post-School Outcome data that is being collected about student with disabilities and make it more accessible. b) To get “in-depth” information about what is actually happening with self-determination and transition both locally and throughout Louisiana. b) To get “in-depth” information about what is actually happening with self-determination and transition both locally and throughout Louisiana.

Notes on our Qualitative Study: Qualitative information adds the details. It completes the picture that statistics provide about Postschool Outcomes. There are no numbers, means, etc. There are no “right answers”—This is each person’s individual perspective... So outliers are important too! This is a “snapshot” of individual stakeholders at this point in time....

Pilot Interview Examples: Please describe what you do.... What would you change about the current system for transition in your region? Which student do you think you’ve made the most impact on their adult life? Why? Is there anything else that you want us to know?

Future Activities: On-going Data Collection All three Surveys (currently implemented in each Louisiana parish) All three Surveys (currently implemented in each Louisiana parish) Interviews with Stakeholders (face-to- face meetings with various individuals during 2010) Interviews with Stakeholders (face-to- face meetings with various individuals during 2010) Other data collection efforts as needed (ex: Transition Services Questionnaire) Other data collection efforts as needed (ex: Transition Services Questionnaire)

Future Activities: Data Analysis Aggregate data by various factors (i.e., age, sex, race, disability category, etc.) Aggregate data by various factors (i.e., age, sex, race, disability category, etc.) Compare with data from the Picard Center Compare with data from the Picard Center Examine interviews for themes (i.e., importance of staff training, problems tracking students, communicating with various agencies, parent concerns, etc.) Examine interviews for themes (i.e., importance of staff training, problems tracking students, communicating with various agencies, parent concerns, etc.) Look at how Louisiana can move from “We do this with our students...” to “What do we need to do next?” Look at how Louisiana can move from “We do this with our students...” to “What do we need to do next?”

Future Activities: Focus on sharing results and information from the Louisiana State Performance plan (stressing Indicators 1, 2, 13, 14). Focus on sharing results and information from the Louisiana State Performance plan (stressing Indicators 1, 2, 13, 14). Framing Louisiana Postschool Outcome Data and transition/self-determination within the efforts of other geographic areas and states. Framing Louisiana Postschool Outcome Data and transition/self-determination within the efforts of other geographic areas and states. Highlighting and sharing Louisiana effective transition materials and “best practices” locally, regionally, and nationally. Highlighting and sharing Louisiana effective transition materials and “best practices” locally, regionally, and nationally.

Keita Rone Dr. Paul Dr. Lynda Dr. Donna For More Information