Basics of Transition Patti Tessen Leslie Randall Patti Tessen Leslie Randall Consultant, ESC 14 Consultant, ESC 5 Consultant, ESC 14 Consultant, ESC 5 Texas Transition Conference February 2012

Goals for today: Goals for today:  Participants will have a greater understanding of the transition process.  Participants will see the direct relationship between providing appropriate transition services and positive student outcomes.

What is the intent of Transition Services?.. (in Federal Law) IDEA 2004

State Law TEC Texas state law follows the federal law. The ARD committee must consider and, if appropriate, address the following issues: Student involvement Appropriate parental involvement < age 18 Appropriate parental involvement if student is at least 18 Post-secondary education options Functional vocational evaluation Employment goals and objectives Availability of age- appropriate instructional environments (students at least age 18) Independent living goals and objectives Referral to a governmental agency for services

Transition planning is an ARD committee responsibility.

Transition Flowchart

Transition Assessment On-going assessments are used to help students identify needs, strengths, preferences and interests and to better define their vision of the future.

Postsecondary Goals  Using information from current transition assessment, as well as the student’s PLAAFP, develop postsecondary goals in the following areas: 1) education/training 1) education/training 2) employment 2) employment 3) independent living (if appropriate) 3) independent living (if appropriate)

Postsecondary Goals (Education/Training) Following high school graduation, John will enroll in welding school.

Postsecondary Goals (Employment) Mary will be employed as a certified nurses aide, following a 6-wk training program.

Postsecondary Goals (Independent Living) Upon completion of high school, Lissette will learn to use public transportation, including the public bus and uptown trolley.

Identify Transition Services Focus on courses of study… -relevant to student’s goals for the future -access to general curriculum -access to state and district-wide assessment -plan for graduation

What is included in a coordinated set of activities in the IEP?  Instruction  Related services  Community experiences  The development of employment and other post- school adult living objectives  If appropriate, daily living skills and provisions of a functional vocational evaluation

Adult Agency Involvement -Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) -Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR) -Texas Workforce Solutions -Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) -Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)

Annual Goals 1) Must be measurable. 2) Must facilitate movement toward achievement of postsecondary goals.

Annual Goals Team effort… Team effort… Student Student Parents Parents School School Others – agencies, community, etc. Others – agencies, community, etc.

Curriculum decisions Student’s ability to participate in general curriculum (TEKS) Course of study Coherent sequence Transition needs Placement decisions Most appropriate location for instruction to take place Provision of related services and transition services Placement…. Least Restrictive Environment

1) Who must have a Summary of Performance? 2) What must the Summary of Performance include? Summary of Performance

I know what should be in an IEP and how transition affects the student’s IEP development….. but who is responsible for making it happen?

Providing transition services is a team effort:  School district  Students  Parents  State and community agencies

Before the ARD meeting is brought to a close… … all committee members should understand should understand exactly what will take place after the meeting and who is responsible.

School is responsible  Initiating request for services  Maintaining contact Based on  Entitlement (IDEA)  Structured and protective processes and environments Adult student is responsible  Initiating request for services  Maintaining contact Based on  Eligibility (ADA/504)  Availability  Funding  Consumer choice Special Education Services Agency Services

Working together = success for our students! success for our students!