Writing effective transition plans

1. Special Education Teacher Summer Institute Traci Warren Writing effective transition plans

2. Transition at a Glance • Measurable Postsecondary Goals • Transition Services • Courses of Study • Coordinated Set of Activities

3. It’s the law… • As a part of transition planning, 34 CFR § 300.320(b)(1) requires the IEP to include appropriate • measurable postsecondary goals • based upon age appropriate transition assessments • related to postsecondary education and training, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills.

4. Postsecondary goals are what the student plans to do upon exiting from secondary education What are Measurable Postsecondary Goals?

5. Writing Goals • Writing goals that meet the student’s needs are critical to the process Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time Scheduled

6. Transition Assessment • Transition assessment is “the ongoing process of collecting data on the individual’s strengths, needs, preferences, and interests as they relate to the demands of current and future working, educational, living, and personal, and social environments” (Sitlington, 1996)

7. Purpose of Transition Assessment • Help students define their Measurable Postsecondary Goals • Guides educational experiences and Course of Study • Promotes self advocacy and self-awareness

8. Are transition assessments the same as vocational/pre-vocational assessments? Transition Assessment Vocational Assessment • Is an ongoing process • Assesses work skills, daily living skills, social skills, personal interests, and strengths • Combination of assessments based on the individual • Is one component of transition assessment • Assesses work related skills • Individual tests

9. Examples of Transition Assessments • Student Interview • Parent Interview • Cum Review • Learning Styles Inventory • Work habits data sheet • Interest Inventories • Independent Living Skills Inventory • Situational Assessments

10. Examples of Transition Assessments • Observation Checklists • Healthcare Needs Assessment • Work Experiences • Communication Skills Assessment • Observation Checklists • Social Skills Assessments • Community Experiences • Functional Vocational Assessment

11. Where do I write the transition assessment results? • Results of transition assessments are part of the “present levels of performance” • Use assessments tab in EasyIEP

12. Transition Resources

13. Tennessee.gov Home  |  Search Tennessee.gov  |  A to Z Directory  |  Policies |  Survey  |  Help  |  Site Map  |  Contact http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/youth/

14. Transition Assessment Websites Adaptive Behavior and Transition Assessments http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/pac/documents/Functional_Assessment_07-08.pdf http://www.integratingstandards.org/dcd/html/cpskills.html

15. Everything you need in one place… our own employee portal https://employee.mnps.org/Page15740.aspx

16. Courses of Study Courses of Study are not just a recording of classes taken, but should be a long range educational plan that is a projection of future course work.

17. Coordinated Set of Activities • Activities are individualized and student specific. • Activities lead toward the achievement of the student’s measurable postsecondary goals • Activities should show a minimum of 2 years • The activities demonstrate coordination between school, family, student and/or outside agency(ies)

18. Examples of ActivitiesInstruction • Visit college campuses • Explore admission requirements for Vocational School • Learn about Americans with Disabilities Act • Learn about time management • Complete a learning styles inventory • Take a CPR/First Aid class

19. Examples of ActivitiesRelated Services • Engage in conversations using an augmentative communication device • Explore transportation options • Apply for SSI • Clean hearing aids independently

20. Examples of ActivitiesCommunity Experiences • Grocery shop • Identify /tour different living options • Obtain a state identification card • Register to vote • Order food of choice from menu • Observe courtroom process • Learn about postal services • Participate in Special Olympics

21. Example of ActivitiesEmployment • Complete a Vocational Rehabilitation application • Participate in community based instruction • Take ASVAB • Complete various job applications • Complete a resume • Memorize social security number • Attend transition/job fair

22. Examples of ActivitiesPost-school Adult Living • Obtain a drivers license • Visit adult service providers in the community • Complete household management tasks • Make appointments (doctor, haircut, etc) • Learn about consumer skills, rights, responsibilities

23. Examples of ActivitiesDaily Living Skills • Prepare simple meals and snacks • Operate a washer and dryer • Perform personal hygiene tasks • Take a childcare class • Manage money • Choose clothing based on weather or activity • Create a weekly shopping list • Participate in physical fitness

24. Make Agency Connections • Vocational Rehabilitation • The ARC • Division of Intellectual Disabilities • http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/tennesseepathfinder/default.aspx

25. Final Thoughts • Always include the student in the planning process • Review goals regularly. Goals need to always be relevant and realistic

26. “As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it” Antoine de Saint-Exupery