Rhode Island Transition Indicator Rollout

1. Rhode IslandTransition Indicator Rollout 3rd Annual Secondary Transition State Planning Institute May 12-14, 2009

2. Presentation Goals • Share how Rhode Island is publically reporting the SPP Transition Indicator results • Share the policy implications for • State • District • Advocacy Partners • Discuss implications and strategies Secondary Transition Institute

3. Rhode Island SPP Process • Indicators 1 & 2 Graduation & Dropout Rates • Cohort Formula • In second year (2007) of reporting by this method • Previously reported Special Education graduation/dropout rates from special education census Secondary Transition Institute

4. Rhode Island SPP Process • Indicator 13 Transition Process • Did not use I-13 checklist • Collected data through special education census from IEP • Waited for full implementation based on the new state IEP form (July 1, 2008) • Focused on the qualitative inferences of Indicator 13 Secondary Transition Institute

5. Rhode Island SPP Process • Indicator 14 • Using census approach • Collected by districts – primarily student’s teacher • Web based survey – based on NPSO Stage 1 • In second year of reporting • First year reporting district level data • Response rate 51% • Representative for all groups except dropouts • 79% engagement rate Secondary Transition Institute

6. Transition Indicator Rollout • Statewide forums on SPP over the past few years • Include in monitoring visits • Included in Consolidated Resource Plan application – district’s federal funding application Secondary Transition Institute

7. Transition Indicator Rollout • Prepared a presentation with all Transition Indicators and shared with • Regional Transition Advisory Committees • Regional Special Education Director groups • Parent organizations • State Special Education Advisory Committee • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors • State Transition Council Secondary Transition Institute

8. Transition Indicator Rollout • State Policy Implications • District Level Application Implications Secondary Transition Institute

9. Transition Indicator Rollout • State Level Policy - Indicators 1&2 • RI High School Regulations 2004 • Graduation by proficiency • Concern of increased dropout rate – No evidence • Dropout rate is down • Fifth year retention rate is up • Transition Academies • Interventions for reaching PBGR Secondary Transition Institute

10. Transition Indicator Rollout • District level implications • Are trends for state level date reflected in district level data? • Disproportionate representation for a district prompts state focus in Commissioner’s Review (HS Regulation monitoring system) • Provide plan to address in CRP application Secondary Transition Institute

11. Transition Indicator Rollout • State level policy – Indicator 13 • 95% compliance • Districts given names of students with non-compliant IEPs with 60 days to correct • Did not address “qualitative” components of Indicator 13 • Coordinated • Measurable • Based on Assessments • Reasonably Enable the student to reach the post school goals Secondary Transition Institute

12. Transition Indicator Rollout • New IEP will capture & state will collect: • Student Participation in IEP, if not, documentation of students preferences • Assessments used • Measurable post-school goals on the IEP • Transition Services • Student Assurance • □ Yes □ No I have been provided information about transition planning in the areas of education, training, employment and independent living. • □ Yes □ No I agree that my measurable post-school goals are based upon age appropriate transition assessments and will reasonably enable me to reach my goals after I complete my high school education. Secondary Transition Institute

13. Transition Indicator Rollout • District level implications • #1 be sure IEP is completed properly • #2 be sure census clerks alert the special education director when non-compliant IEP is discovered • Active participation in PD opportunities – ex. Transition Assessment forum – sold out! Secondary Transition Institute

14. Transition Indicator Rollout • State level policy – Indicator 14 • Focus on representativeness • Focus on results • Shared results in report • Used NPSO tools • Discussed state level conclusions • Prompted district level analysis Secondary Transition Institute

15. Transition Indicator Rollout • Looking at District Data • Begin by examining the “Total Reported” (last) column on the report. • Did your district collect a sufficient percentage to draw conclusions? • Was your percentage at or higher than the state average? • If not, you should examine your collection methodologies and develop improvements in the next round of data collection in April and May of 2009. • Examine the percentage of students engaged • Compare your district to the state data and districts with similar demographics. • Examine the numbers for students who are not engaged • This is of concern at the state level for particular demographic groups and holds particular implications at the local level. • Who these former students are and what lead to a non-engagement result? • Implications on Practice • The primary goal of the transition outcome data collection and reporting is to influence transition planning and program decisions at the local level. • Do the results point our team in directions to improve programming or services? • What has worked, what has not? • If we change particular practices would we expect to see a change in some or all of this data? Secondary Transition Institute

16. Transition Indicator Rollout • Going forward • Annual reporting on indicators to all groups • Built into the federal funding application • Built into public reporting • Built into monitoring system • Merging SPP data with state level policy discussions – ex. Dropout Prevention Secondary Transition Institute

17. David SienkoRhode Island Department of Education401-222-8987David.Sienko@ride.ri.gov Secondary Transition Institute