Project PAS(Promoting Academic Success):

Expanded Across the Commonwealth

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Today’s Presenters

from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

• Dana Hodges Central OfficeSupervisor, Special Programs

Division

• Wendy Patterson Central OfficeTransition Specialist, Special Programs Division

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Goals for Today

• Identify the guidelines for the Transition Grant.

• Provide information on the PAS Project.

• Present general instructions and a timeframe that can be used across the state.

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OVR Transition Grant Overview

• OVR was awarded a Transition Grant from the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Grant Period: 10/01/2007 – 09/30/2012

We are completing Year #2 of the grant.

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PAS Project

Project Promoting Academic Success (PAS) is based on the model developed in the OVR Pittsburgh District Office with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC).A pilot project was completed in May, 2008 with these same partners.

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The Partners

High School

OVRCommunity

College

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Grant Specifications

• The Grant specifies that students with cognitive disabilities be provided the opportunity to acquire transition skills by attending a local community college.

• Cognitive disabilities include Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

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DevelopingProject PAS

Grant funds are being utilized to: •Develop a standard curriculum•Receive electronic copies of

curriculum content •Provide outreach and guidance to

interested colleges•Invest in Assistive Technology

designed to facilitate the Transition Process

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Project PAS Replication Potential

• Inexpensive program overall

• Replication opportunities until September 2012

• Start talking about the concept now!

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Outcomes Expected

• Personal Data Type of Disability Type of Disability Gender Gender AgeAge Ethnicity Ethnicity RaceRace

• Long-term Impact of the Program

College Degree College Degree Employment Employment OtherOther

20 new sites will be developed over a 5 year period. Outcome data to be measured:

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The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) has 4 main campuses in the Pittsburgh area:

AlleghenyBoyce NorthSouth

How It Started

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How It Started…SDS110

• 3 Credit Summer Course• Taught at Allegheny Campus for 11 years• Techniques for becoming a successful

student:Time managementOrganizational strategiesLearning stylesStudy skillsResearch in college coursesDisability services and accommodationsCommunity and campus resources

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How It Started…SDS102

• 1 Credit Course • Taught for the past 5 years during the

summer at Allegheny Campus.• Taught for the past 2 years during high

school at South Campus (Baldwin Mini Grant).

• Curriculum intended to help students “Map the Future”.

• Students can take the 3 credit course as the next step.

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SDS102Project PAS

• Modeled after a 2006 Baldwin Mini Grant that piloted a PAS program at CCAC for students in their senior year of high school.

• Expanded in the Spring 2008 semester to 2 additional CCAC campuses.

• 66 High School students attended.• From 14 School Districts• Supported by 11 OVR Counselors

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SDS110Started Summer,1996

3 creditsSummer post HS45-50 students

Allegheny Campus

SDS102March, 2008

Allegheny Campus20 students

SDS102March, 2008South Campus

30 students

SDS102March, 2008Boyce Campus

16 students

SDS102Started Summer,2003

1 credit11-12th Year

12-15 studentsAllegheny Campus.

SDS102Started March, 2006

1 creditSenior Year

12 students attended South CampusBaldwin Mini Grant

.

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Grant Funding

The Grant covers the following expenses for students:

• Tuition and Fees for Course (1 college credit)

• Textbook: Keys to Success (6th Edition)

• Journal • Planner

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SDS102 Curriculum

• Week One: Setting the StageDifferences between high school, work &

college

• Week Two: Active Learning“Face a Note-taking Challenge”

• Week Three: Learning StylesMultiple Pathways to Learning

• Week Four: Disability Law“Know Your Rights and Responsibilities”

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SDS102 Curriculum

• Week Five: Assistive TechnologyHow technology can improve academic

performance.• Week Six: Overview of Reading and

Study Skills• Week Seven: Evaluating Learning

and Progress• Week Eight: Problem Solving and

Decision-Making

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Who ?Who should be referred?

Students with cognitive disabilities (LD, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders).

Who is responsible for making the referral?OVR counselors, high school transition coordinators, college disability service coordinators, and parents.

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How?

• The school district must be willing to release the student from class.

• The parents must sign a permission slip and complete a dual enrollment form.

• The student must be eligible for OVR services.

The OVR counselor makes the final decision when Grant money or OVR funds are used.

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When?

• Junior or Senior Year?• October or March?• Grant is driven by

1. The academic school year 2. OVR Transition Policy 3. College’s availability to provide an

instructor and classroom.

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Why Should You Get Involved?

• Provides an effective and inexpensive way to increase the likelihood that OVR services will be successful.

• Builds collaboration into the transition process.

• Gives OVR the ability to notify students in a timely way of our requirements for college sponsorship.

• Assists students to make an informed choice about post-secondary education and/or employment.

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Other Considerations

•School districts or parents can also fund students that are not OVR eligible.

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The CollegePerspective

• Students are better prepared to complete their college degree.

• Increased enrollment at Community College.• Diverse population served.• Provides quality, trained workers for local

employers.• Works with community partners to create

low cost training options.

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The OVR Perspective

• Cost effective way for students to “try out” college before high school graduation.

• Community colleges are seen as viable options for post-secondary training.

• Transportation is provided by the school district.

• Student becomes familiar with supportive services available at the college.

• The evolving role of the OVR counselor is more defined to the student and parent.

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The High School Perspective

• A student who may not be successful in high school is exposed to an alternative academic setting.

• Students and parents recognize the difference between entitlement in secondary education and eligibility in post-secondary education.

• The student is better prepared to make career decisions before high school graduation.

• The school district has developed a transition plan with a community agency.

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The Student Perspective

• Small class size in the PAS program.• Able to earn a college credit.• College experience during high

school.• Better understanding of what will be

needed to succeed in college.• Exposure to students from other high

schools.

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What We Know

• There is a real need to prepare youth with disabilities for adult life.

• Students may not enroll in appropriate post-secondary training programs.

• Proprietary schools often are expensive and do not have support services.

• Community College programs strive to fill local employment needs.

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Making the Connection

College AdministratorsDisability Services

Coordinators

High School Principals

Transition Counselors

OVR AdministratorsOVR Counselors

Letters

TC

C M

eeti

ngs

IEPs and

IPEs

StudentStudentss ParentsParents

StudentStudentss ParentsParents

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Responsibilities

OVR:Eligibility determinationTuition, fees, and books

School District:TransportationPermission for student to be out of school

Community College:Instructor and classroom for the courseDual Enrollment forms

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Who’s on First?

All of us!

Students can be referred by:

• High School Transition Coordinator

• OVR Counselor• College Support Services• Parents • Self

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Project PASOff the Ground

Spring 2009

• CCAC- 5 campuses• PSU –Dubois• Penn College of Technology• Luzerne County Community College• Penn Highlands Community College• Westmoreland County Community

College• Allegany Community College of Maryland

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Project PASUnder Development

for Fall 2009• PSU – Erie Campus• Lehigh Carbon

Community College• Harrisburg Area

Community College- Main, Lancaster, and York Campuses

• Delaware County Community College

• Philadelphia County Community College

• Bucks County Community College

• Berks County Community College

• Community College of Beaver County

• Northampton Community College

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The Next Step

• Discuss with your community partners the possibility of starting a PAS program.

• Present ideas to your local transition council.

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Contact InformationDana Hodges, Supervisor

(717)-772-1656dahodges@state.pa.us

Wendy Patterson, Transition Specialist (717)-787-6695

wenpatters@state.pa.us

Special Programs DivisionPA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

1521 N. Sixth StreetHarrisburg, PA 17102www.dli.state.pa.us

Quick Link to Disability Services

Thank You