Missouri Peer Supports Project

1. Missouri Peer Supports Project Missouri Peer Supports is a collaborative project between the University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Education, Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Recreation Council for Greater St. Louis

2. What is The Missouri Peer Supports Project? • Evidence-based & best practice • Collaboration of agencies/schools • Focus on statewide practices • Development and dissemination of curricula • Increase in academic and social outcomes for ALL students • Inclusive practices and promotion of LRE for students with disabilities • Meaningful relationships • Engagement of students, teachers, families, and community resources • Generalization & Maintenance of skills & relationships • Improved postsecondary outcomes

3. Project Steps • Missouri Peer Supports Project Summit • February 24th, 2012 in Columbia MO • 150 attendees from across the state • 23 school districts represented • Research presented (Cushing & Carter) • Current school examples

4. PROJECT STEPS • Selection of 3 Missouri high schools to pilot program – 3/18 • Project team developed a system of selection criteria • Emphasis on diverse representation of the state • 14 schools applied

5. Chosen Pilot Schools Kirksville High School, Adair County St. Charles West High, St. Charles County Carthage High School, Jasper County

6. Project Steps • Work with schools and teacher sponsors to plan for program start in Fall 2012 • Recruitment goal of 10 students at each school • School professional development • Sponsor trainings & support • Missouri Youth Leadership Forum – Summer 2012 • Support recruited students with disabilities to attend • Two students applied, one accepted • Research Development – ongoing • Self-Determination, Student Perceptions, Academic Outcomes, Project Evaluation, Social Relationships, Teacher Fidelity of Implementation, School Climate,Long Term Outcomes – Follow up • Project Implementation Start – Fall 2012 • Program Maintenance & Fading Plan -2013 to project end date • Publications, Presentations & Dissemination

7. Initial Project Idea

8. Peer Supports Training Course • All students receive course credit • Students with and without disabilities • Tap into existing course structures at individual schools • Curriculum includes topics such as • Person first language & person centered planning • Relevant education & civil rights law • Self-determination & advocacy • Interdependence • Adaptations & Modifications • Assistive technology & communication • Social skills • Circles of support • Inclusive education • Employment exploration & skill development • Guest presenters & potential field trips • Student facilitators to return to mentor new students, help to develop new curriculum, and develop leadership skills • Team-building activities embedded including the role of caring adults • Matching of students for next step in program (general education course)

9. What we learned! • It can take up to one year for new courses to be approved (must be submitted in January for the following academic year) • Finding out about & utilizing existing strengths within the school to build upon can help with sustainability and “buy-in” • Be flexible • Let the school team be creative to increase engagement with the project • Individualization to adapt to the school/community needs • Administration involvement in the school team is very helpful

10. St. Charles West High – Fall 2012 • School Team = 6 including principal, director of student services, special Education department chair, special education teacher, general education teacher, and transition coordinator • Identified one course (9th Grade Curriculum Lab) that is required for all 9th grade students and “seemed like it needed something, it was outdated, turned into just a study hall, etc.” • Adapted the course with project curriculum, renamed to Freshman Year Experience (FYE) and work with teacher to alter course content & train on new material • 24 students enrolled, 2 with IEP, 1 with 504 – Fall 2012 • Goal – train all teachers by end of year so all 9th grade students experience the course starting in Fall 2013

13. Carthage High School – Fall 2012 • School Team = 3 including a process coordinator, general education team teacher in communication arts, and occupational development teacher • Identified one course (Occupational Development) that historically has only been offered to students with disabilities. Adapting existing curriculum and possible name change and will now actively recruit students without disabilities to participate • Adapt course, supplement with new project materials and differentiation for all students in class • Goal – 10 enrolled students with and without disabilities Spring 2013, advertise & popularize class and consider new course submission for January.

14. Kirksville High School – Fall 2012 • School Team = 6 including work experience coordinator, speech and language specialist, general education teacher in english, special education coordinator, guidance counselor, and special education teacher in social studies • Identified 3 courses (multiple sections) • Careers & Technology – 129 students enrolled, 17 with IEP or 504, 22 at-risk • Civics – 209 students enrolled, 26 with IEP or 504, 25 at-risk • Health – 90 students enrolled, 17 with IEP or 504, 11 at-risk • Each course will be accessible to all students with and without disabilities to enroll in freshman & sophomore year. • Project curriculum disbursed amongst the 3 courses and supplement existing material. Training provided for all teachers. • Goal – all sections of the 3 courses start implementation in the fall with the goal of all students at the school experiencing the curriculum during the high school experience

15. Future Steps • Data collection & research on implementation and outcomes • Peer supports matching plan – Counselors/team role • Presentation & dissemination of project and outcomes at conferences, invited presentations, and via publications • Based on all school experiences, a template curriculum published that incorporates needed information for other schools to replicate project – collaboration with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) • Follow up with student participants beyond high school

16. ? ??? April Regester – regestera@umsl.edu Geoff Lanham – glanham@moddcouncil.org Sue Fleming – sfleming@recreationcouncil.org Erika Redmond – elr883@mail.umsl.edu Websites & Resources Missouri Peer Supports Project Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Missouri-Peer-Supports-Project/280939695344372?ref=hl Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council - http://www.mpcdd.com/ Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis - http://www.recreationcouncil.org/