Georgia’s Graduation/ Dropout Prevention Project Building Systems to Help Students with Disabilities Graduate

State Personnel DeSvelopment Grant (SPDG ) 2 The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), Division for Special Education Services and Supports, received a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Funding began September 1, 2007.

Goals of the SPDG The intent of funding is directed towards improving educational results for students with disabilties through the delivery of high quality instruction. 1.Improved student reading and mathematics achievement and increased numbers of students who graduate with a regular diploma 2.Decreased number of students who dropout 3.Increased attainment of better postsecondary outcomes

Goals Cont’d 4. Increased recruitment of fully certified special education teachers 5. Increased parent support and skills development for young children

Project Partners GaDOE Divisions of Special Education Services and Supports, with other Divisions within GaDOE Local School Districts Georgia Learning Resources Systems (GLRS) Other Agencies Parent Advocacy Groups Colleges/Universities

Project Partners 6 Site: Clemson University Director: Dr. Loujeania Bost Center faculty is providing in-depth training! The National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities (NDPC-SWD)

Introduction of Team Members

Project Strands 8 Guided by NDPC- SWD Data Utilization Action Plan Development “Best Fit” Strategies

Project Strands 9 Academic Achievement Reading and Mathematics Content Enhancement Strategies Behavior Mentoring Positive Behavior Supports Parent/Family Engagement Family Engagement Strategies Transition Planning and Vocational Assessment

Year One Training Sessions 10 Overview of Prosocial, behavior strategies, Positive Behavior Supports Overview of Parent/ Family Engagement and Transition/Vocation al Assessment Strategies Overview of Strategies to Improve Reading and Math Achievement Data Utilization Day 1Day 2 Day 3Day 4 * Action Plan will be completed by the end of Day 4. November January MarchFebruary

Overall Project Design 11 Year 1 – Provide training/support {Cohort 1} Year 2 – Implement strategies and continue coaching support {Cohort 1} Year 3 – Provide training/support for Cohort 2 Provide limited support for Cohort 1 Year 4 – Implement strategies and continue coaching support {Cohort 2} Provide limited support for Cohort 1 Year 5 Continue to implement strategies {Both Cohorts}

What YOU Know About Dropout 1.How would your life be different if you had not completed high school? 2.What motivated you to stay in school and not drop out? List all related factors/variables (e.g., people, experiences, goals). 3.How can you use your experiences to promote school completion?