Group K: Vocational Options & Transition

Participants: Thomas Cullerton, Keith Ozols, Corinne Thomas-Kersting, Lucy Baker, Sharla Tompkins, Rina Shriki, Mandy Holmberg, Savannah Place, Nancy Newell, & Chrystal Grey-Watros

Problem:  Students aren’t prepared for life after high school and lack vocational options & transition services at the secondary level:

• “some” students don’t have a functional communication system
• Students are not prepared for post high school options
• Students are not aware of options
• Students are not connected to or aware of agencies that can start earlier (brokerages, housing options, SSI, DD, etc)
• Limited exposure to competitive employment experiences
• Students leaving school without daily meaningful activities
• Confusion about who qualifies for CTP
• Confusion about implementing state diploma guidelines
• Lack of exposure to trade career options
• Accessibility issues at school/worksites a problem

Recommendation 1: Develop and implement IEP transition plans that start at age 16.

• Expand and make more meaningful the transition Plan
• Person Centered Planning (PCP) in conjunction with IEP for transition
• Training for teachers re: how transition section of IEP relates to IEP goals
• During senior year, transition plan should be reviewed and revised upon graduation
• Communication between high school and CTP staff
  • Presentations
  • Attend student IEP meetings
• Connection with post-HS program for students who graduate with standard diploma
• TIME- Teachers vs. VTS
  • Summer meeting options
  • Transition meeting week (after school out?)
• Clerical support to arrange meetings, management of paperwork, note-taker
• School psych. Support
• Separate meetings for transitions/PCP format possible

Recommendation 2: Increase secondary transition options and resources for students and their families (High School)

• Need more vocational Transition Specialists (VTS); they are able to
  • Connect w/ community
  • Inform the High School Team  
• Vocational Class/Transition
  • Job seeking skills
  • Career exploration
  • Self advocacy
  • Job keeping skills
  • How to obtain community resources
• Transition topics including self advocacy included into pre-existing classes
• VTS as resource to students, families, etc regarding transition
• Transition fair district wide
• Educate about how benefits/SSI and work can be combined

Recommendation 3: Increase vocational education at and opportunities at secondary level (gen ed)

• Vocational oriented elective classes
• Increased access to Industrial Arts in all high schools
• Career advisor at every high school
• Access for all students to these opportunities, guidance counselors
• Rooms need to be expanded and accessible for all students
• Career education embedded in content courses, including speakers from the community
• Re-create green thumb home repair

BREAKDOWN OF 4 SQUARE CHARTS – RECOMMENDATIONS

Develop and implement IEP transition plans that start at age 16:

Working Well:

• In our control
  • Transition plans post-secondary
  • PCP at post secondary
• Out of our Control
  • PPS supported worksites

Not Working Well or Does Not Exist:

• In Our Control 
  • Communication between High School and Post-Secondary transition staff
• Out of Our Control
  • PCP at high school level
    • Limited creation of detailed plan and implementation limited
  • Transition plans – High School (due to lack of resources)
  • Having enough time and staff communication to develop transition plans
  • Staff training regarding transition is limited
  • Limited availability of slots for high school students at PPS supported work sites
  • Limited clerical support
  • Enough time to meet, communicate, to gain knowledge and resources.
  • Seems to be no accountability for QUALITY of transition plans

Increase Secondary transition options and resources for students and families

Working Well:

• In Our Control:
  • Some VTS in High Schools are valuable assets
  • VTS represent HS, Post-HS options, community resources (SSI benefits/work counseling, DD, brokerages, VR, etc.)
  • Support (Sp Ed) for Career Information System (CIS)
  • Community Partnerships
• Out of Our Control:
  • At one HS (at least) career ed embedded in classes.

Not Working Well or Does Not Exist:

• In Our Control:
  • Organizing a district wide transition fair
• Outside of Our Control:
  • Enough time to collaborate and implement
  • Need more vocational support/VTS in the high schools
  • Students have limited time in HS for vocational experiences/education
  • Funding a district wide transition fair
  • CIS does not accommodate all students
  • Access to CIS not consistent

Recommendation for Gen Ed:  Increase vocational education and opportunities at the secondary level

Working Well:

• In Our Control:
  • Students who advocate for their needs (Sp Ed too)
• Outside of Our Control:
  • Some schools have access to industrial arts- limited basis
  • All schools have some access to fine arts
  • All schools have guidance counselors
  • Career info system

Not Working Well or Does Not Exist:

• In Our Control:
  • n/a
• Outside of Our Control:
  • All buildings are not universally accessible – community too
  • No career advisors
  • School counselors are not as involved with the students if Sped
  • Strong Vocational Programs in the High School