Best Practices In Transition: A Tale of Two Academies

1. Best Practices In Transition: A Tale of Two Academies Communities of practice institute transition ii March 8, 2011

2. We cannot build the future for our children, but we can build our children for the future. Franklin Delano Roosevelt

3. High School Programs in Cobb County for students served through Moderate Intellectual Disabilities Access Programs Transition Academies

4. Access Programs • Four years of high school, just like typical peers • Beginning with 2008 Freshmen, the potential to earn a meaningful diploma 4 units of English, Mathematics, and Science; 3 units of Social Studies; 1 Health/PE required 23 total units required 7 elective units

5. Moving into the Academy • Participate in Senior Activities and Graduation with typical peers • IEP and Transition Plan • Completion of Georgia Alternate Assessment (GAA) • Students will continue to have the opportunity to participate in Community Based Instruction (CBI). This will be incorporated into the GPS aligned curriculum on a monthly basis. • Continuation of Campus Based Skills Training.

6. Transition Academy Program Qualifications

7. Transition Academy Curriculum • Areas of concentration will reflect those on the Supports Intensity Scale (AAIDD) used by the Department of Human Resources to rate needs of adult clients. • Students no longer work on the GPS aligned curriculum.

8. Supports Intensity Scale/ Transition Academy Program Components

9. Academy/Access division

10. Benefits

11. Community Experiences for Academies

12. Parent Institutes

13. How will this impact graduation?

14. Vision • We see our students as whole persons included in all facets of community life, who have choices while exercising control over their lives and who are encouraged to achieve their maximum potential.

15. Lessons learned

16. What should parents be doing?

17. Know your options Vocational Evaluations Supported Employment Training/Education assistance WORK IS THE GOAL Diploma requirement Entrance exam Disability Coordinators on each campus Voc Rehab 770-528-3435 770 920 4515

18. Academy for Inclusive Adult Education Kennesaw State University http://www.kennesaw.edu/ chhs/centers/aiae/ • Does not require a Carnegie Unit Diploma • Prefer a third grade reading level • Students audit actual classes • Two-year Certificate program

19. The Academy promotes balance in these critical areas:

20. KSU Academy for Inclusive Adult Education, by design, focuses on independence through an inclusive campus program – teaching social growth and development through real life college experiences.  Working toward accreditation to cultivate eligibility for financial aid. Kennesaw State University AIAE students: Inaugural cohort

21. As the demand for these programs grows, support from post-secondary and private sectors is vital. 2010-2011 Cohort

22. Create a campus atmosphere of understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities Provide an inclusive college academic, social and wellness education to students who have been historically excluded from that opportunity Offer career planning and preparation through on-campus work experiences and person centered planning Support individual students’ goals through opportunity and instruction Encourage independence and successful self management of life long learning, employment and wellness. Academy Objectives

23. Tuition and Fees

25. Questions? Karla.wade@cobbk12.org 678 581 6801 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. —Margaret Mead