act now achieving college transitions now: implementation strategies for secondary youth
DESCRIPTION
ACT Now Curriculum Materials Educator and Parent Modules: power point slides presenter script supplemental booklet Student Modules: curriculum guide student workbook power point slides videoTRANSCRIPT
ACT NowAchieving College Transitions Now:
Implementation Strategies for Secondary Youth
ACT Now Materials Include Template for development of Transition Skills
Development Team
Template for development of Transition Expo
Needs Assessments
Curriculum for parents, students and educators
ACT Now Curriculum Materials Educator and Parent Modules:
• power point slides • presenter script • supplemental booklet
Student Modules: • curriculum guide • student workbook• power point slides • video
Transition Needs SurveyAvailable for students, parents, and
educators
Provides information regarding current understanding of transition topics
Assists in determination of need for training various groups
The ACT Now Modules
Flexible delivery; multiple formats
Presentation ready via power point, overheads and activity masters
Interactive student activities
Parent and Educator Presentation Guides
PurposeObjectivesDelivery of ModuleTime RequiredInstructor Preparation
ACT Now:Educators
Educator Module Differences between IDEA 2004 and ADA
services, and accommodations
Changing roles and responsibilities
Accessing disability services and documentation of disability
Expectations and realities of the college environment
Essential Student Skills
Implementing the Educator Module
• Who: – special education teachers, supervisors, transition
coordinators– school counselors & school psychologists
• Why: – Increase general understanding of differences between high
school and college– Provide background knowledge so educators can assist
students and their parents with upcoming transition
• When/How: – As part of a teacher in-service day– As an ACT 48 workshop– Distribute teacher booklet for independent review
Excerpt from Presenter Script
Self advocacy skills are essential for students since they willbe required to do several things as they transition to a postsecondarysetting. They must:
• Self-identify to Office of Disability Services• Submit appropriate documentation of disability• Request reasonable accommodations• Utilize accommodations• Monitor the effectiveness of those accommodations
This is a change in mindset and behavior for students as well asteachers and parents. These tasks have been previously directedby the student’s parents and teachers. As students transition toa post-secondary institution, they will be expected to advocate forthemselves across these important areas.
ACT Now:Parents
Why Do Parent Training? Provides background knowledge regarding
differences between the K-12 educational system and the post-secondary educational system
Educates parents regarding the realities of college
Provides tips of things parents can do right now to help prepare their student
Parent Module Changing of laws from IDEA 2004 to ADA
New roles and responsibilities
Accessing disability services and documentation of disability
Expectations and realities of the college environment
Reasonable & appropriate accommodations
ACT Now Timely Tips
Implementing the Parent Module• Who:
– Parents of students with disabilities who are considering pursuing a post-secondary education
• Why: – Increase understanding of college expectations– Provide information regarding documentation requirements and
reasonable accommodations
• When: – As part of a parent forum –include topic on transition to college– As part of College Night
• How:– Personal invitations to parents of ACT Now participants– Outreach to parent groups within district– Co-present with school counselor – Distribute parent booklet at IEP meeting
Excerpt from Presenter ScriptSo what do these changes mean to you?
Access: Post-secondary institutions are prohibited from discriminating against a person because of a disability. They must provide ACCESS to the education to otherwise qualified individuals.
Eligibility: Students must meet requirements to be eligible for reasonable accommodations at the post-secondary level. The eligibility requirements may be different from those in the K-12 system.
Otherwise Qualified: The term “otherwise qualified” means different things at the K-12 and post-secondary levels. In high school, your child may be qualified for services just by being within the age range set forth by IDEA 2004 and having a disability. However, in post-secondary institutions, your child must be qualified to meet the admissions standards to an institution as well as the standards for specific programs within an institution.
FERPA: FERPA means that post-secondary institutions cannot release grades or academic records to parents without the student’s permission. This means that college staff will not discuss this information with parents or others without student’s written permission. This is a big change for the parents who have been very involved in their student’s day-to-day educational experience.
ACT Now:Students
Student Curriculum
Curriculum guideSix modulesStudent workbookSmall group and individual activitiesCore activitiesSupplemental activities
Student Module Overview1. Transition Planning – What is That Anyway?
2. Who Are You? Knowing your Strengths and Weaknesses
3. You and College: You Mean I Have To Do It?
4. What Do I Do Now? Self Identification & Documentation
5. How Do I “Do” College? Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
6. College 101
The curriculum guide…
Each module starts with– Purpose– Key Terms– Suggested Order of Presentation– Instructor Preparation
Student Curriculum: Module 1
Transition Planning – What is That Anyway?
Why Are You Here? Student SurveyPrepare for Life After High SchoolWhat is My Disability?Your Role in the Transition
Activity:
What is My Disability?
Student Curriculum: Module 2
Who Are You? Knowing your Strengths and Weaknesses
High School and YouCollege and YouIndividual AppointmentA Different Viewpoint
Activity:
College and You
Student Curriculum: Module 3
You and College: You Mean I Have To Do It?
Whose Job is it Anyway?Communication PreferencesWhat is Self Advocacy?
Student Curriculum: Module 4
What Do I Do Now? Self Identification & Documentation
Why the Change? The Laws SimplifiedDetermining Eligibility for AccommodationsDocumentation SimplifiedDoes This Documentation Make the Grade? Be a
Documentation DetectiveDoes MY Documentation Make the Grade? Individual AppointmentResearching College WebsitesCollege Screening ToolWho’s Responsible?
Activity:
Documentation Detective
Student Curriculum: Module 5
How Do I “Do” College? Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
Now That You Are Eligible for AccommodationsReasonable and Appropriate AccommodationsAccommodations SimplifiedCollege AccommodationsACT Now College Video Individual AppointmentRole Play
Student Curriculum: Module 6
College 101
Accommodations – Next StepsWho Stays in Post Secondary EducationNavigating the System: Myths and RealitiesLook How Far You’ve Come! Student SurveyACT Now Crossword PuzzleCountdown to College Checklist
Implementing the Student Modules
• Who should participate:– Students with disabilities who are considering a post-
secondary experience• Why:
– Increase knowledge of essential transition concepts– Increase knowledge about themselves as learners– Helps students make post-secondary decisions– Increases confidence in students– Increases knowledge about the college experience
Implementing the Student Modules
• When/How:– During the school day -as a pull out program– As an after-school program– Embedded into the curriculum – As an elective course– As a summer program in partnership with local
college– Minimum of six 45 – 60 minute meeting – Individual appointment outside of class session– Collaborate with institution of higher education
ACT Now:Program
Implementation
Implementing ACT Now In Your District
• Obtain Administrative support• Conduct Needs Assessment• Consider following questions:
– Who will start and facilitate process of implementaiton– Who will participate
• Educators• Parents• Students with disabilities
– When and how will trainings occur– What are the challenges in your district
• Develop Action Plan