IDEA Partnership 1

Self-determination and Youth Investment

Pathway to Success for all Students including Those with Disabilities

January 2014

IDEA Partnership 2

The IDEA Partnership acknowledges the contributions of cross-stakeholders, including persons representing,

Teachers, General Education Administrators, Special Education Administrators, Related Service Personnel, Families and youth,, Higher education , and Technical Assistance Providers

-and-is deeply grateful to Project Unify of the Kennedy Foundation /Special Olympics for its leadership and facilitation of this collaborative effort.

January 2014

IDEA Partnership 3

Agenda

Definition Rationale Key elements Implementation issues Additional Resources

January 2014

Cradle to College and/or Career…

Aligns services Public and private School and community

Supports success Academic Social Occupational

Benefits child/young adult and community

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 4

Why to / ?

Remain in school Good attendance Active learning

Go on to college or advanced training Obtain a career and work for a lifetime Live independently Give back to the community

High School Graduation

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 5

Students must demonstrate skills needed in today’s world… Academics Choice-making Decision-making Problem-solving Goal-setting Self-awareness Self-advocacy and leadership

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 6

Dropping out…Students with Disabilities (SWD) 7,000 SWD leave

school each day

At this rate: 13 million SWD will leave school in the next decade

Economic impact (2009 dropouts) Each costs the nation

over $260,000 over his/her lifetime

If all had graduated, benefit of $335 billion to nation’s economy over their lifetimes

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 7

Most likely to drop out…Academic performance Low grades Low test scores F’s in English

and Math Few credits Retention

Educational engagement Low engagement High absenteeism Poor school behavior Low extracurricular

participation Poor relationships with

teachers and peers

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 8

Expected outcomes… Remain in school

Good attendance Active learning

Go on to college or advanced training Obtain a career for a lifetime Live independently Give back to the community

High School Graduation

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 9

Key elements…

Collaboration School Family Agencies Neighborhoods/Communities Business Leaders

Clear communication Culture and language Use of technology

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 10

Support providers… Schools

Title I, IDEA, Gifted, etc. Breakfast and lunch programs

Families Agencies & community after-school programs School-based mental health Faith Based organizations Medical health Etc.

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 11

High School

Last stepping stone into post-secondary education, employment, and adulthood

Preparation for systems of the future Focus on transferable skills

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 12

Key elements of High School

Academic rigor Curricular integration / transition services

Self-advocacy Internships and work opportunities Post-secondary education options Mentoring and coaching

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 13

Support providers……

Schools Families Mentor programs / Internship programs Higher Education – career development

specialists Vocational Rehabilitation Juvenile Justice / Probation Etc.

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 14

Support providers – cont’d…

Colleges and universities Technical schools Internships Military Community agencies and work places

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 15

Key elements… post-secondary & employment Self-determination

Empowerment

Self-advocacy

Mentoring and coaching

Social networks

Mental health services

Economic Development

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 16

Critical Skills Frequently Overlooked

Self-determination Empowerment Economic Development Independent living needs

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 17

Self-determination is…

a concept reflecting the belief that all individuals have the right to direct their own lives

Students who have self-determination skills have a stronger chance of being successful in making the transition to adulthood, including employment and independence

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 18

Self-Determination Is Learned… through real-world experience which inherently involves taking risks making mistakes reflecting on outcomes testing his or her strengths and limitations identifying appropriate short- and long-term

goals and open, supportive acknowledgement and

discussion of their disability

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 19

Tips for Promoting Self-Determination in Youth with Disabilities

Promote Choice Making Encourage Exploration of Possibilities Promote Reasonable Risk Taking Encourage Problem Solving Promote Self Advocacy Facilitate Development of Self-Esteem Develop Goal Setting and Planning Help Youth Understand Their Disabilities

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 20

Empowerment is…

a process which helps people gain power. People who are empowered have the knowledge and ability to lead.

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 21

What does it mean to be empowered?

Taking responsibility for your choices and decisions

Working toward your goals Having confidence and pride in your abilities Living with enthusiasm and passion Knowing how your actions affect others Economic stability

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 22

Empowerment includes having… access to information decision-making power a range of options from which to make

choices a positive outlook on being able to make

change the ability to increase one’s self image and

overcome stereotypes of discrimination

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 23

You are NOT empowered? When you do whatever you want whenever

you want and ignore expectations and rules

When you bypass everyone who will say “no” so you can get your own way

When you only do the what is easy

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 24

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 25

Successful transition to adulthood includes employment and independence which requires systems change

All levels in the process must include… Collaboration Coordination Continuity

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 26

…to create seamless systems of service

Clearly articulated at each level

Systems that… Value, honor and support all youth Coordinate agency resources Support smooth transitions from year to year,

developmental level to developmental level Emphasize child/youth growth in

Academics Social/emotional well being Health and fitness Civic responsibility Economic responsibilities

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 27

Systems that focus on… Balance

Academic & social/emotional skills Physical & mental health Family life and building independence

Intentional transition plans from the beginning Collaboration

Families, schools, agencies, community services Shared resources & responsibility

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 28

Your involvement is key to the success of all our children and

young adults!January 2014 IDEA Partnership 29

Additional resources

January 2014 IDEA Partnership 30

The IDEA Partnership www.ideapartnership.org

Project Unify of the Kennedy Foundation /Special Olympics www.specialolympics.org/projectunify.aspx

Breaking Ranks http://www.nassp.org/tabid/3162/default.aspx

Breaking Ranks in the Middle School http://www.nassp.org/Portals/0/Content/53495.pdf

Ready by 21, Forum for Youth Investment http://www.forumfyi.org/readyby21

IDEA Partnership 31January 2014

Reflections!

Questions?

Discussion.? !.?

?!

!

.