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A webinar hosted by the New Hampshire Transition Community of Practice Professional Development Workgroup and UNH Institute on Disability

Facilitated by Heidi Wyman, Transition Resource Network at Strafford Learning Center(603)692-4411 ext 41 hwyman@slc.k12.nh.usResults-Oriented Transition Planning: Measurable Post Secondary Goals

Two truths and a lie1AgendaWhat is a measurable post-secondary goal?How does it differ from annual goals? Legal implicationsHow are they best developed?Strategies for educators; "unrealistic" goals? Examplesof post-secondary goals?

2Definition of Post-secondary GoalsA postsecondary goal is generally understood to refer to those goals that a child hopes to achieve after leaving secondary school (i.e., high school) (IDEA 2004 Part B Regulations, 300.320(b), discussion of Final Rule p. 46,668)

A postsecondary goal is not the process of pursuing or moving toward a desired outcome.

Retrieved from National Secondary technical Assistance Center at www.nsttac.org/tm_materials/PostSecondaryGoals.aspx

3The purpose of MPSGIDEA 2004 discusses the purpose of transition services as is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child's movement from school to post-school activities (IDEA 2004, Part B, 614, [d][1][A][VIII]; 300.43[a][1]).

4Q: What happens if students who are getting regular education diplomas do not meet their measurable goals for transition?Annual goals and post secondary goalDrummond Woodsums School Law Advisory Its never too early to think about graduation by Mark A. Paige (Fall 2009)First, clarify that this is a question about Annual goals. If you are not monitoring their progress throughout the year, you may be setting up the district for further responsibility transition service claims might arise if the IEP team focused in the transition process only on what the child needed to graduate, and not on what the child needed to move toward his or her transition goals. Graduation requirements are often very different from college entry requirements. Ask whether your team has addressed the course requirements at high school to assist the child with his or her post graduation goals. Hearing officers have faulted schools for failing to do so, and ordered compensatory education in those situations. (School Law Advisory, Fall 2009)

5Q:Should staff write measurable goals for LD/college-bound students which address the differences in class size, teacher feedback, teaching style, and homework/assignment expectations?

Q: Should measurable goals regarding independence and self-advocacy be in the goals section of the IEP or in the transition goals?I think these are questions about annual goals and transition services, so I really want to touch on these briefly, we can come back to it at the end if needed. Annual goals vs mpsg; transition annual goal? same as any goal and transition services; p;6Q:When Ive discussed this topic in my building, I still run into resistance from those writing IEP around the issue of saying that students will do things. The thinking seems to be that, because we have no control over what happens after high school, we shouldnt write post-secondary goal statements that concretely, lest we be held accountable for things that are beyond our control. I know weve talked about this topic several times in our past sessions, but Im wondering if theres a way to get a definitive statement from those in charge of implementing Indicator 13 that would put those fears to rest once and for all.

Well, there is a response. That said, hate to be too cynical, but it might be too much to hope that we will put it to rest once and for all. This is a significant change in thinking, the best we can do is continue to reiterate. SO, here we go7Q: What if students dont meet Post Secondary Goals? National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center Frequently Asked Questions regarding Indicator 13, approved by the Office of Special Education Policy August 2006. 8Q: I am in need of MPSG's for the 8th graders who are getting their first transition plan written in preparation to move up to the high school. Post secondary goals do not need to be measurable until IEP in place at age 16, can be more general statements like plans to go to collegeCourse of study must be in place at 14, and must reasonably enable the student to meet post secondary goals (I-13 Checklist)MUST HAVE at this age: realistic conversation with student and family about diploma options and graduation plan 9Q: A student says her post-secondary educational goal is to go to a four-year university to study chemistry. She has never attended a class on her own, has heavily modified curriculum, and will be receiving a goals-based diploma at 21. How do we write a goal that is in keeping with the students wishes but is still realistic?Determine why college? Are there other ways to meet that desire? Have realistic conversation about diploma options and graduation. Dont assume parents and students heard or understood.Present level of academic and functional performance related to that goal? Use clear and specific data and examples of how these will be barriers to achieving a goal. Let her try it. Provide transition services that develop self awareness (ex. participate in unmodified classroom work, research what it takes, report back)Responsibility to explore that: 1) Good to have a vision; why do you want to do that, what interests you in that pathway? (activities/service that explore the unrealistic pathway); 2) back up plan to explore another pathway; First, recall the the requirement for post secondary Responsibility to put into place exploration activities to responds; Age appropriate trans assessment: range of resource ; career interest inventory activities; coordinated set of activities: guidance; person they like and trust; planning; LOTS OF INFO gets tossed around in IEP meetings and many students and parents are used to saying they understand, dont want to admiot to a roomful that they missed something. 10Q: And for those 9th, 10th, graders who still don't have an idea of what direction they want to go in regarding post secondary life? Implement transition strategies/ activities (interest inventories, informational interviews, etc) to explore possibilitiesHelp student identify their strengths and consider ways to build on themFears do they have about future planning? Are there transition activities/strategies that can help address those fears?Involve an adult they trust/confide in. Your responsibility to provide transition services to engage them. Easy to get thrown off by teen red herrings; but seriously, gonna live with mom and dad forever? Will they let you?Does your school use career cruisong or some other? Use it! Voc rehab website for informational interview format.The class clown probably has EXCELLENT social skills. Try to help them focus on how to use what they have.

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Reg handout12IDEA 2004 in the NH IEP (NHSEIS)IDEA 2004NHSEIS: NH IEPMeasurable Post Secondary Goals

Course of Study

Coordinated Set of Activities

Students Preferences, Needs and InterestsCommunity Participation and Adult Services sections not requiredTransition Academic Transition PlanTransition Goals and ServicesNHSEIS IEP pages: not yet compliant with IDEA 2004 language; pull up for consult and NHSEIS forms for comparison13Q: What exactly counts as a measurable goal? Can we explore different types of wording that would be acceptable?14Examples:(Education and Training 1) After graduation from high school, Alex will enroll at Kings College (a technical school) and take a business math class to improve his work related math skills and to advance his career in business.

(Employment 1) After finishing high school Alex will increase his work hours from 10 hours per week to 20 hours per week in the business department of a local office supply store with temporary supports provided through Vocational Rehabilitation.

Retrieved from http://www.nsttac.org/tm_materials/Default.aspx

15More examples:http://www.nsttac.org/tm_materials/Default.aspxRevised Transition Services (by Ed OLeary and Ewendy Collision, 2007)Go to Eds article for additional examples, if not, should have from August training16WebsitesLots of examples and resources: http://www.nsttac.org/products_and_resources/tag.aspxParent Information Center Parent Toolkithttp://www.nhspecialed.org/documents/Transition_Tool_Kit_w_IEP.pdfWhats happening in Transition throughout the county and the state? www.sharedwork.orgDr. Ed OLeary on Measurable Post Secondary Goalshttp://croydon.keene.edu/mediasite/viewer/?peid=c2902d03-81e9-4eb3-abaf-26848b695f8917