For additional information regarding Transition Services & Planning in CISD please contact:
Erin Stanton, M.Ed., BCBA
Coordinator of Special Education
estanton@coppellisd.com
214-496-6936
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), "transition services" means a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that . . .
1. Is designed within an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including:
- post-secondary/vocational training
- integrated employment
- Adult/daily living (if appropriate)
- functional vocational evaluation (if appropriate)
- independent living
- community involvement (if appropriate)
2. Is based on the individual student's needs, taking into account the student's preferences and interests.
3. Transition services, adopted by the ARD committee and included in the IEP objectives. These may include instruction, related services, community experiences and the development of other post-school adult living objectives. If appropriate, includes acquisitions of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluations.
Legal Requirements
Texas H.B. 617
Special Education Transition Planning and Services
Requires that each district or shared services arrangement identify at least one employee serve as the designee on transition and employment services for students receiving special education services. Directs the commissioner of education to develop minimum training guidelines for a district's or shared services arrangement's designee. Directs designees to provide information about effective transition planning and services and interagency coordination to ensure that local school staff communicate and collaborate with (1) special education students and their parents, and (2) local and regional staff of the Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of Aging and Disability Services, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of State Health Services, and the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Directs the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to develop a transition and employment guide for students in special education programs and their parents, to provide specified information on statewide services and programs that assist in the transition to life outside the public school system. Requires that guide be posted to the TEA website. Requires districts to post the guide on the district website if it exists, and provide parents with information on how to access the guide at the first meeting of the student's admission, review, and dismissal committee at which transition is discussed. Requires that the guide be completed by September 2014.
Source:
www.capitol.state.tx.us
Status: Signed into law Status Date: 06/14/2013
IDEA states the public agency (Coppell ISD) shall invite a student with a disability to attend his/her ARD meeting when transition planning is addressed. This will occur at every annual review meeting for students 16 years of age. Student –led ARD meetings, when appropriate for student age, are preferred. Students are expected to participate and share their anticipated goals, interests for post-secondary life, and identify needs to support a seamless transition from high school to adult education/adult life/college/employment.
Agency representatives that are likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services beyond high school will be invited and encouraged to attend ARD meeting to collaborate in the planning of any transition services. Agency invitation will be at the consent of the parent or adult student only and with prior notice.
KEY POINT: IDEA wants to ensure that all students have the opportunity to pursue life goals which reflect their personal interests and preferences.
Individual Transition Planning
AGE 14: For each student with a disability, beginning at age 14, a “statement of transition service needs” and “needed transition services" will be included in the IEP. If appropriate, a statement of the interagency responsibilities or any needed linkages will be included.
KEY POINT: This federal law (IDEA) ensures early planning for students so that post-school goals could be reached. Those agencies responsible for helping to attain student goals are to participate in the planning process.
Transition and the IEP
Information determined through transition planning will set the focus for what should be considered and ultimately integrated in the development of the student's IEP.
Issues that must be addressed include:
- appropriate student involvement in the student's transition to life outside the public school system
- if the student is younger than 18 years of age, appropriate parental involvement in the student's transition
- if the student is at least 18 years of age, appropriate parental involvement in the student's transition, if the parent is invited to participate by the student or Coppell ISD
- any post-secondary options
- a functional vocational evaluation (if appropriate)
- employment goals and coordinated set of activities
- education/training goals and coordinated set of activities
- independent living goals and objectives (if appropriate)
- referrals to government agencies or other adult service providers (if appropriate)
KEY POINT: Because transition is a process, the planning required to help students reach their desired post-school outcomes must become a part of the IEP in time for skills and knowledge to be gained and for goals to be reached.
Pathways to Independence
CISD Pathways will provide opportunities for adult students in special education to have the highest quality of life possible to achieve maximum levels of personal independence. Please refer to brochure for complete details, including pathways options, mission statement and responsibilities. Continuation of special education services beyond the student's 12th year will be based on student needs, IEP goal achievement, and always an ARD committee decision.
Texas Transition and Employment Guide
The Texas Education Agency in collaboration with
Statewide Leadership in Secondary Transition and Post School Results at
Education Service Center Region 11 are pleased to announce that the Texas
Transition and Employment Guide has been posted to the website and is located
at www.transitionintexas.org.
The purpose of this guide is to provide information on statewide services and
programs that assist students with disabilities in the transition to life
outside of the public school system. Additionally, Sandye Cox has posted
both the English and Spanish versions on the Helpful Resources tab of the R10
Transition website http://www.region10.org/special-education/transition/.
