1. Re-engaging Drop Outs and those at Risk
Alison Lowenthal
Secondary Special Education Coordinator
Sponsored by: Idaho State Department of Education
Division of Special Education
Introduction

2. Having a Meaningful Role in Transition Decision Making
What the research says:
- Improved achievement test results
- Improved attendance
- Decreased dropout
- Improved behavior
- Higher grades and GPA
- Greater commitment to schoolwork
- Improved attitude towards school

3. Oh, But Wait
This is the research on meaningfully engaging the parents in the transition planning process

4. Activity
Take five minutes to list and discuss the reasons that parents dis-engage in the special education IEP and transition planning process.

5. Families as Dropouts According to parents:
School are not very receptive to parents involvement after junior high school
Feel like they have rights in special education, but fear retaliation
Consider the school staff more powerful than themselves
Feel overwhelmed with graduation and the transition plan

6. Families as Dropouts According to parents:
Feel they don’t have adequate time to brainstorm for transition planning
Many families lead complicated lives and feel tired by the time their child enters high school
Many parents have had negative school experiences themselves
Parents are fearful of expulsion

7. Families as Dropouts According to parents:
They don’t understand educational jargon and graduation rules
Many parents feel like special education is a burden to the school
Many parents have had a negative history throughout their child’s educational experience

8. Re-engaging Families Create collaborative relationships:
Respect
Trust
Open Communication
Shared Goals
Defining Roles
Upfront expectations
Appreciate all perspectives
Parents treated as experts on their children
Different actions to make the relationship work

9. Re-engaging Families Remove Assumptions
Don’t Do
Assume that you know a student from reading a file
Assume that the parents don't want to help
Limit the brainstorming time
Blame
Bring solutions to the table
Have positive/high expectations for all
Show that every person voice is equal in the decision making process
Listen

10. What Educators Can Do Recognize external factors
Honor the racial, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic diversity of families
Keep promises and ensure confidentiality
Be hopeful and honest about a students potential and abilities
Help parents to understand the planning process and service system

11. What Educators Can Do Accept parents as equal partners
Consider parent’s perspectives in all aspects planning
Support parents as their child’s best advocate
Meeting logistics
Share information and resources
Explain the transition planning process
Help families to identify strengths

12. Communication
Communication makes a difference in effectiveness of collaboration
Nonverbal communication is as important as the words we use
Information in writing keeps understanding clear

13. Communication Disagreeing does not mean being disagreeable
Ask questions to help clarify differing opinions
Children should never be included in disagreements
Balance bad news with positive comments

14. Communication Avoid Jargon Provide written in parents’ native language
Active listening
Pay attention
Show you are listening
Provide feedback
Defer judgment
Respond appropriately

15. Activity
Take 10 minutes to read your scenario and problem solve with your table how you would deal with the situation. Be ready to share with the whole group.

16. How this Relates to Transition
Data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics show the average worker today stays at a job 4.4 years, which the youngest workers only working for 3 years. This means the average worker will have jobs in his or her life time.

17. How this Relates to Transition
Career Development Phases
Self Exploration
Career Exploration
Career Planning and Management

18. Self-Exploration Families can- provide activities outside of school
help establish interests
help identify communication style

19. Career-Exploration Families can- communication the expectation to work
help explore a wide range of employment in the community
Investigate website
Encourage students to take classes linked to his or her career

20. Career Planning and Management
Families can-
investigate opportunities to improve soft skills
use common activities to build work and soft skills
have discussion about work ethic
help their child to understand SSI and benefits

21. Any Questions

22. Contact Information:
Alison Lowenthal
Idaho Parents Unlimited