New CEC/DCDT Transition Standards! 1 Welcome to this session! Who’s Who? Dr. Jim Martin – U. of Oklahoma – VP, DCDT Dr. Robert Morgan –Utah State University Dr. Mary Morningstar- U. of Kansas; Past President, DCDT Dr. Jane Razeghi – Executive Director, DCDT Dr. Monica Simonsen – U. of Kansas Dr. Kendra Williams-Diehm – U. of Oklahoma

1. Summarize the process for developing the standards 2. Describe research-base for standards 3. Share how three universities are applying these standards to their educator preparation programs Today we will…

The Background: Transition Specialist Standards 3 Over a decade old! Previous attempts…. CEC’s Validation Study Resource Manual (2010) Formation of a DCDT Validation Team Mary Bob Kendra Jane

Identified Unique Partners 4 Council for Administrators of Special Education (CASE) The IDEA Partnership The National Secondary Transition & Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC)

How Were the transition “standards” updated? 5 1. Created a DCDT Validation Team (Nov ‘12) 2. Developed a “Concept Paper” – (Jan ‘13) 3. Submitted “Concept Paper” to the CEC: Professional Standards & Practices Committee (PSPC) for approval – (April ‘13) 4. Developed/updated the existing transition standards within the new CEC Standards (Jan – June ‘13). Demonstrate research basis for standards. 5. Submitted these draft new standards to the CEC Knowledge & Skills Committee (July ‘13)

How Were the transition “standards” updated?? 6 6. Made revisions to the “set” 7. 2 nd presentation to CEC K&S (Aug/Sept ‘13) 8. Made revisions to present to the CEC PSPC – (Sept ‘13) 9. Made revisions to present to the CEC PSPC again (Oct ‘13) 10. CEC PSPC – presented final transition standards to CEC’s Board of Directors & they approved them! (Oct ‘13)

Why Are Research Based Transition Standards Important? 7 University Preparation Programs State & Local Job Descriptions Accreditation Reviews for Special Education Programs Formulation of Goals & Guidelines

Research Base for Transition Standards 8 Transition Coordinator Lit Review & Survey- Transition Coordinators (Morningstar et al.) Transition Teacher Competency Lit Review & Survey (Morgan et al.) Knowledge & Skills Committee: Development of CEC Special Education Transition Specialist Advanced Specialty Set

Research Base for Developing Standards Dr. Mary Morningstar University of Kansas Dr. Robert Morgan Utah State University

10 Designing the Transition Coordinator Survey Literature/research Scan Mapping competencies Expert Review Pilot with TC’s Revisions Final Survey & Validation Study

11 Transition Coordinator Survey

12 Embedding Competencies Secondary Teachers Transition Survey (2009) Instructional Planning Curriculum and Instruction Transition Planning Assessment Collaboration

Early ResearchEarly Research  In the process of creating a masters-level curriculum for transition specialists, USU faculty reviewed the literature on transition standards (e.g., Benitez, Morningstar, & Frey, 2009; Blalock et al., 2003; DCDT, 2000; Kohler, 1996; Test, Aspel, & Everson, 2006).  Based on 67 competencies found in the literature review, we surveyed national transition experts ( n =52) and practitioners from five states ( n =231). Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 67 competencies.  Results indicated substantial similarities in ratings across all respondents (Morgan, Callow-Heusser, Horrocks, Hoffmann, & Kupferman, 2013).

Early Research, continuedEarly Research, continued  Survey results served as one data source for development of transition competencies.  With data on rankings of transition competencies, conversations developed with co-presenters on importance of Updating existing standards Providing an empirical basis for standards

Application of Standards Dr. Robert Morgan Utah State University Dr. Mary Morningstar Dr. Monica Simonsen University of Kansas Dr. Jim Martin Dr. Kendra Williams-Diehm University of Oklahoma

Application of StandardsApplication of Standards  Relevant standards are cited in masters’ course syllabi and practicum handbooks.  Particular standards are “task analyzed” into operational statements allowing observation of teacher performance in practica. Statements on observation form are cross- referenced to standards. Example >>>

Excerpt from Observation FormExcerpt from Observation Form PSE=Postsecondary education

Mary E. Morningstar Monica Simonsen University of Kansas November 5, 2015 Using Transition Standards in Evaluating Practitioner Competencies

19 Embedding Standards within Program Coursework planned, revised and enhanced based on identified competencies Evaluate student competence pre-post program surveys – Level of preparation – Level of implementation E-Portfolio aligned with competencies

20 E-portfolio Competency Evaluation Multi-media artifacts demonstrating mastery within domains Peer Review Evaluate using competency- based tool

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In What Other Ways Are Transition Standards Used Today? 23 How Are You Using Them? Dr. Jim Martin & Dr. Kendra Williams-Diehm

OU’s Transition Scholars 24 Converted each Standard into a Qualtrics survey Students complete 3 times during 2 yr masters program – Beginning of program – End of Yr 1 – End of Yr 2 Use results for program evaluation/research data

Sample Survey Items 25 Item Results From Two Cohorts

Sample Survey Items 26 Item Results From Two Cohorts

Assignments – Related to Individual Student Results 27 Transition Practicum – Final course in a 6 course transition sequence Two assignments related to survey result: Individual Transition Improvement Plan #1 and #1 On items with the lowest score (3 or below) students target individual improvement. Must develop and implement a plan specific to improving skill/knowledge in that area

In closing….. 28 Celebrate the beginning of a new era of transition standards! Enjoy the knowledge that they are solidly “research-based” Use them well…. Add your name to the sign-up sheet to receive them electronically

Contact Information 29 Dr. Jim Martin – ou.edu Dr. Robert Morgan – Dr. Mary Morningstar – Dr. Monica Simonsen- Dr. Kendra Williams-Diehm – Dr. Jane A. Razeghi –