Multi-tiered Transition Education and Supports

1. Multi-tiered Transition Education and Supports Mary Morningstar, Ph.D. Amy Gaumer Erickson , Ph.D. Pattie Noonan , Ph.D. University of Kansas, Department of Special Education Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Career Development & Transition Conference Savanna, GA October 29, 2009

2. Think, Pair, Share:What is YOUR Definition of Multi-tiered Systems of Support?

3. Sailor, W. (2009). Beach Center on Disability http://www.beachcenter.org/pbs/seclusion_and_restraint.aspx

4. Multi-tiered Systems of Support vs. Transition

5. 9 Essential Elements of Multi-tiered Transition Education and Supports Jenson, 2008, Adapted by Noonan & Gaumer-Erickson, 2009

6. All Curriculum focused on Postsecondary Outcomes Some Few Assessment for Student-focused Planning Curricular connections to careers & educational goals & interests Assessment for academic and career planning Supplemental transition, academic, and/or behavior curriculum Supplemental assessment & planning for postschool outcomes Individualized Transition Curricula Transition assessment & planning Interagency Collaboration for transition Collaboration within school and community targeted for groups Broad-based Collaboration with Adult Agencies, Families, Employers, & Community Resources Individualized Community-based Instruction Collaboration Within School and Community Family-focused individualized planning Supplemental small group instruction and instructional support Instruction emphasizing choice & application Instruction Promotes Independence & Engagement Supporting parents as partners in education Parent involvement in secondary academic & career planning Family Involvement Adapted from Morningstar & Clark, (2003)

7. Curriculum Focused on Postsecondary Outcomes Few Some All

8. All curriculum includes connections to career & educational goals & interests Electives and/or pathways provide a range of career readiness opportunities Examples Service learning Success 101 Career report in language arts Budgeting practice in mathematics Civic responsibility discussion in social studies High Schools That Work Tech Prep Curriculum Focused on Postsecondary OutcomesTier 1: All Students = Universal

9. Supplemental transition, academic, and/or behavior curriculum Examples Wilson Reading Algebra ½ Elective course in pre-employment skills Self-determination curriculum Study skills course Curricular accommodations Work experience curriculum Curriculum Focused on Postsecondary OutcomesTier 2: Some Students = Supplemental

10. Individualized transition curricula Individualized modifications to academic curricula Examples Life skills curricula Supported employment Community-based transition programs Curricular modifications Curriculum Focused on Postsecondary OutcomesTier 3: Few Students = Intensive

11. Assessment for Student-focused Planning Few Supplemental assessment & planning for postschool outcomes Some All

12. Early & ongoing assessment for developing career & graduation plans with high expectations for postsecondary education and employment and necessary supports for success “Emphasize rigor, relevance & engagement” Examples Early Career Assessments Personal Plans of Study State Assessments + SAT/ACT tests College Planning with Guidance counselors “Advisories” throughout HS w/ same educator Aligning HS to postsecondary education Postschool tracking systems for all students Assessment for Student-focused Planning Tier 1: All Students = Universal

13. Assessment & supplemental planning across school and community settings with expectations for postsecondary and employment success and links to appropriate postschool settings. Examples Early Warning Systems (performance & attendance) Expanded AP Courses & Academic monitoring Additional supports & assessments as needed (GEAR UP, Talent Search, Upward Bound) Individualized career planning/Career Academies Expanded practice with college placement exams Assessment for Student-focused Planning Tier 2: Some Students = Supplemental

14. Focus on preparation and supports needed for inclusion in community including postsecondary education and training; employment; independent and community living; social engagement and relationships, recreation & leisure Examples Wrap-around models Check & Connect Person-centered Planning Student-directed planning & Self-directed IEPs Specific transition assessments to guide planning Planning for 18-21 programs in postsecondary settings Assessment for Student-focused Planning Tier 3: Few Students = Intensive

15. Instruction that Promotes Independence & Engagement Few Some All

16. Instruction emphasizing choice and application Developing a community of learners Reinforcing self-determined & self-regulating behavior Examples Universal design for learning Strategy instruction Soft skills modeling Differentiated Instruction Mentoring Active & cooperative learning Instruction Promotes Independence & EngagementTier 1: All Students = Universal

17. Supplemental small group instruction & instructional support Examples Co-teaching Instructional accommodations Transition club Tutoring Assistive technology integrated within instruction Instruction Promotes Independence & EngagementTier 2: Some Students = Supplemental

18. Intensive & individualized instruction Examples Instructional modifications Assistive technology for communication Generalization of skills to multiple settings Dedicated paraprofessional support Instruction Promotes Independence & EngagementTier 3: Few Students = Intensive

19. Family Involvement Supporting Postschool Outcomes Few Some All

20. Parental engagement with secondary schools through participation in school-wide activities and organizations Schools actively promote and support active parental engagement Examples PTA Standards for Family School Partnerships: (a) welcoming all families in school; (b) communicating effectively; (c) supporting student success; (d) speaking up for every child; (e) sharing power; (f) collaborating with community The Family Involvement Network of Educators (FINE) Communication with parents (newsletters, online grades) School events (e.g., job fairs, college fairs) involve parents Parents collaborate with student and school to develop individualized graduation plans Parent advocate models Family Involvement Supporting Postschool OutcomesTier 1: Parent involvement in secondary academic & career planning = Universal

21. Working directly with “hard to reach” families, including those from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds and those from low income areas. School outreach to hard-to-reach families Parent Information Resource Centers (PIRCs) Parent Involvement Specialists in Schools Family Involvement Supporting Postschool OutcomesTier 2: Supporting parents as partners in education= Supplemental

22. Parent engagement in transition planning and IEPs Parent Training and Information Centers Cultural community liaisons for CLD families Systematic support for families (e.g., parent transition & educational advocates) Community schools Family Involvement Supporting Postschool OutcomesTier 3: Family-focused Transition Planning = Intensive Active family involvement in planning for transition to postsecondary and employment settings

23. Collaboration within the School and Community Few Inter and Intra-agency Collaboration for transition Collaboration within school and community targeted for groups Some All

24. Broad-based Collaboration with employers, colleges, families, and across school staff to review outcomes and identify/address gaps Data-driven collaborative process Overarching shared vision (Collaborative School Environment) Examples School-Business Partnerships Professional Learning Communities Job Fairs, College Fairs for all Students Integrating of school/district wide improvement plans School/District Mission Statement Suicide Prevention School Resource Officers co-funded Alcohol and Drug Prevention Collaboration within the School and Community Tier 1: All Students = Universal

25. Based on principles of multi-system collaboration In-school collaboration among diverse staff providing services to: students in ELL, At-risk of Failing and Drop-out, Special Education Culturally Responsive Practices Examples Screening Teams Social Worker/Guidance Support Group Counseling (co-funded) Community Transition Team Model Participation of school staff in community organizations, such as Business Advisory Councils, Chamber of Commerce, Board members of Agencies Community Resource Mapping Wrap Workers Co-funded staff for At-risk Students Collaboration within the School and CommunityTier 2: Some Students = Supplemental

26. Within the school and district, professionals from various diverse roles work together to provide high quality educational programming related to real life to students with disabilities School staff collaborate with outside agencies to develop linkages for post-secondary outcomes. Building Relationships Examples Collaboration and Coordination with Related Services Community-based 18-21 Program Community Transition Team Model Building Relationships with: Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living Centers, Onestop Centers, Developmental Disability Organizations, Healthcare organizations, Employers and Employment Service providers VR/Special Education co-funding Collaboration within the School and Community Tier 3: Few Students = Intensive

27. What does it all mean? Pulling it all together… • Multi-tiered Transition Education and Supports builds on overarching ideas which include: • Transition is a data-driven process (student level benchmarks and goals, postschool outcomes and IEP indicators of success, monitoring) • Students can move between tiers, depending on responsiveness, but also cycle back and forth • Principles of intra-school and interagency collaboration • Students with high incidence disabilities and at-risk rarely if ever receive valuable transition planning and services. IMPACT