Florida Education: The Next Generation DRAFT

1. Florida Education: The Next GenerationDRAFT March 13, 2008 Version 1.0 IEP Components for Secondary Transition Revised 12/15/09 Florida Department of Education Dr. Eric J. Smith, Commissioner

2. The following slides were developed for Sheila Gritz’s presentation at the Project 10: Transition Education Network Regional Institute held in Gainesville, Florida on September 30, 2009. • The slides were revised on December 15, 2009, to reflect key changes to Florida State Board of Education Rules impacting secondary transition requirements. • The slides also incorporate a revision to the definition of functional vocational evaluation that reflect the Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professional’s definition.

3. Objectives • To develop an understanding of the secondary transition indicators with a focus on Indicator 13 • To develop an understanding of requirements for secondary transition • To identify methods for merging compliance and evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for all secondary transition indicators

4. Secondary Transition IndicatorsFocusing on Indicator 13

5. Secondary Transition Indicators • Indicator 1 – Graduation • Indicator 2 – Dropout • Indicator 13 – Transition Components in the IEP • Indicator 14 – Post-school Outcomes

6. SPP Indicator 13 (Compliance Indicator) • 100% percent of youth aged 16 and above with an IEP that includes coordinated, measurable, annual IEP goals and transition services that will reasonably enable the student to meet the postsecondary goals. • 2007-08: 24% of 389 IEPs reviewed met requirements • 2008-09: 61% of 601 IEPs reviewed met requirements Data reflects the total number of IEPs reviewed that met requirements.

7. Changes coming for Indicator 13… • Percent of youth aged 16 and above with an IEP that includes • Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals that are annually updated • Based upon an age-appropriate transition assessment • Transition services, including courses of study, that will reasonably enable the student to meet those postsecondary goals • Annual IEP goals related to the student’s transition services needs

8. …Changes coming for Indicator 13… • Evidence that the student was invited to the IEP Team meeting where transition services are to be discussed • Evidence that, if appropriate, a representative of any participating agency was invited to the IEP Team meeting with the prior consent of the parent or student who has reached the age of majority

9. Requirements for Secondary Transition

10. Definition of Transition Services… “a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that: • Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the student with a disability to facilitate the student’s movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation; and… Rule 6A-6.03411(1)(nn), F.A.C.

11. …Definition of Transition Services… • Is based on the individual student’s needs, taking into account the student’s strengths, preferences and interests; and • Includes: a. Instruction; b. Related services; c. Community experiences; d. The development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives; and e. If appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and the provision of a functional vocational evaluation, and Rule 6A-6.03411(1)(nn), F.A.C.

12. …Definition of Transition Services • Transition services for students with disabilities may be special education, if provided as specially designed instruction, or a related service, if required to assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education. Rule 6A-6.03411(1)(nn), F.A.C.

13. Ages 14 and 15 • Notice – • Purpose will be identifying transition services needs of the student • Student invited • Student’s strengths, preferences and interests taken into account and other steps taken if student doesn’t attend • Identifying transition services needs, to include consideration of the student’s need for instruction or the provision of information in the area of self-determination to assist the student to be able to actively and effectively participate in IEP meetings and self-advocate,so that needed postsecondary goals are in place by age 16 • Course of study • Diploma selected

14. Ages 16 and Older (Not calculated for I-13) • Notice • Purpose will be consideration of the postsecondary goals and transition services for the student • Student invited • Agency invited to send a representative • Student’s strengths, preferences and interests taken into account and other steps taken if student doesn’t attend

15. Ages 16 and Older (Not calculated for I-13) • Diploma selected • Self-determination instruction or information • IEP team reconvened if agency fails to provide service • Transfer of rights documented in the IEP at 17 • Transfer of rights notice at 18 • Summary of Performance (SOP)

16. Ages 16 and Older (Calculated for I-13) • Measurable postsecondary goals • Age-appropriate transition assessment • Training or Education • Employment • Independent Living (where appropriate) • Annual goal(s)or short-term objectives or benchmarks related to the student’s transition services needs • Transition services • Courses of study • Agency invited • Consent obtained to invite agency

17. Measurable Postsecondary Goal or Goals (Age 16 and Older) • Develop measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessment in the following areas: • Education or training • Employment • Independent living (as needed)

18. Education or Training • Education is defined as • Enrollment in Adult General Education (e.g., Adult Basic Education, Adult High School Credit Program, Vocational Preparatory Instruction Program, or GED Testing Program) • Enrollment in technical center (certificate program) • Enrollment in community college (certificate program or two-year degree) • Enrollment in college/university (four-year degree and higher) Adapted from NSTTAC, 2007

19. Education or Training • Training is defined as • Employment training program (e.g., Workforce Investment Act [WIA], Job Corps, AmeriCorps, Individualized) • Individualized means one-on-one training provided by the employer, an agency, or service provider Adapted from NSTTAC, 2007

20. Employment • Employment is defined as • Competitive • In the competitive labor market that is performed on a full- or part-time basis in an integrated setting • Is compensated at or above the minimum wage • Supported • Competitive work in integrated work settings…for individuals with the most significant disabilities for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred; or for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a significant disability… Adapted from NSTTAC, 2007

21. Independent Living (as Needed) • Life skills in the following domains: • Leisure/Recreation • Maintain home and personal care • Community participation Adapted from NSTTAC, 2007

22. Measurable Postsecondary Goal or Goals (Age 16 and Older) • A measurable postsecondary goal may address more than one of the designated areas, and must meet the following two requirements: • It must be measurable; you must be able to “count it” or observe it. • It must be intended to occur after the student graduates from school.

23. Frequently Asked Questions Measurable Postsecondary Goals

24. Frequently Asked QuestionsMeasurable Postsecondary Goals… • Where on the IEP do I write the measurable postsecondary goals?

25. Frequently Asked Questions…Measurable Postsecondary Goals • The measurable postsecondary goals should be reflected early in the IEP as every component of the IEP for students 16 and older should lead toward attainment of the measurable postsecondary goal(s).

26. Frequently Asked QuestionsMeasurable Postsecondary Goals… • Does the timeframe for a measurable postsecondary goal need to address when a student will start something, such as “enroll in a two-year community college program,” or finish, such as “complete a two-year degree program?” Which constitutes best practice or is either okay?

27. Frequently Asked Questions…Measurable Postsecondary Goals • Districts have flexibility in the format they choose to use for measurable postsecondary goals.

28. Frequently Asked QuestionsMeasurable Postsecondary Goals… • Are short-term objectives or benchmarks needed for measurable postsecondary goals?

29. Frequently Asked Questions…Measurable Postsecondary Goals • No. Only annual goals for students with disabilities who take alternate assessments aligned to alternate achievement standards are required to have short-term objectives or benchmarks. It is generally helpful to think of the measurable annual goals and transition services reflected in the IEP as “benchmarks” toward the measurable postsecondary goals.

30. Frequently Asked QuestionsMeasurable Postsecondary Goals… • How do we determine the student’s progress toward the measurable postsecondary goals?

31. Frequently Asked Questions…Measurable Postsecondary Goals • There is no requirement for reporting progress on measurable postsecondary goals. • If the student is making adequate yearly progress toward attaining his or her measurable annual goals and other transition services within the IEP, then the student should be making progress toward attaining his or her measurable postsecondary goals.

32. Frequently Asked QuestionsMeasurable Postsecondary Goals… • If a parent requests an Adult Day Training (ADT) program or sheltered workshop setting and services for his or her child, how do we address this in the measurable postsecondary goals?

33. Frequently Asked Questions…Measurable Postsecondary Goals • The IEP team should always consider the most inclusive postsecondary outcomes first. • Ultimately the decision rests with the IEP team; however, restrictive settings and programs should be a “last” consideration.

34. Frequently Asked QuestionsMeasurable Postsecondary Goals… • For students going directly into employment who already know the skills needed to complete the job, what would measurable postsecondary goals for education or training, and employment look like? (For example, a student exits under Special Diploma Option 2 or a student who has been trained in a technical program as a tile layer.)

35. Frequently Asked Questions…Measurable Postsecondary Goals • The measurable postsecondary goal for education or training would likely describe the type of training the employer would provide for this student. • The measurable postsecondary goal for employment would likely be related to maintaining the job and/or expanding the individual’s job duties and responsibilities.

36. Frequently Asked QuestionsMeasurable Postsecondary Goals… • What if a student’s skills do not match the student’s interests? What must be reflected in the measurable postsecondary goals?

37. Frequently Asked Questions…Measurable Postsecondary Goals… • A “measurable postsecondary goal” is NOT the same as a “desired post-school outcome.”

38. Frequently Asked Questions…Measurable Postsecondary Goals • The measurable postsecondary goals must be based upon age-appropriate transition assessments. • In a recent case in Texas, the court found that “the district did not err in developing a vocational program that focused on fashion and child care – the student’s biggest strengths,” despite the fact that her interest was in music where she had limited skills. The summary stated: “So long as a transition plan reflects the student’s skills and interests, as determined through assessments, it should pass muster under the IDEA.” - Individuals with Disabilities Education Law Report, LRP Publications (June 12, 2009)

39. Measurable Postsecondary Goals based on Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment • The measurable postsecondary goals must be based on age-appropriate transition assessment.

40. Frequently Asked Questions Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment

41. Frequently Asked QuestionsAge-Appropriate Transition Assessment… • How and where do I document age-appropriate transition assessment in the IEP for compliance purposes?

42. Frequently Asked Questions…Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment • There is flexibility in where transition assessment is addressed in the IEP. Transition assessment would most likely be cited as a source and reflected in the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance or the summary of assessments/evaluation data.

43. Frequently Asked QuestionsAge-Appropriate Transition Assessment… • Which transition assessments require consent from parents?

44. Frequently Asked Questions…Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment • Consent is only required if the purpose is for reevaluation.

45. Frequently Asked QuestionsAge Appropriate Transition Assessment… • What is functional vocational evaluation?

46. Frequently Asked Questions…Age Appropriate Transition Assessment • Functional Vocational Evaluation (FVE) is a systematic assessment process used to identify practical, useable career and employment-related information about an individual. FVE incorporates multiple formal and informal assessment techniques to observe, describe, measure, and predict vocational potential. A distinctive feature of FVEs is that they include (and may emphasize) individualized experiential and performance-based opportunities, in natural vocational or work environments. (VECAP, 2009)

47. Annual Goal(s) or Short-term Objectives or Benchmarks • There is/are annual goal(s) or short-term objectives or benchmarks that reasonably enable the student to meet the postsecondary goals. CFR 300.320(a)(2) Are goal(s) or short-term objectives or benchmarks included in the IEP that will help the student make progress toward the stated postsecondary goal(s)?

48. Transition Services… • There are transition services on the IEP that focus on improving the academic and functional achievement of the student to facilitate the student’s articulation from school to post-school. 34 CFR 300.320(b)(2)

49. …Transition Services… • For the measurable postsecondary goals on the IEP, are one or more of the following addressed: • Instruction • Related service(s) • Community experience(s) • Employment • Post-school adult living • Daily living skills (if appropriate) • Functional vocational evaluation (if appropriate)

50. …Transition Services • Transition services may be addressed through • The development of measurable annual goals and short-term objectives or benchmarks • Special education services • Related services • Program modifications/supports for school personnel • Supplementary aids and services and/or • State and district assessment accommodations/modifications