Hot Topics Fiscal Year Memos from the NH Dept. of Education about Transition | Post School Outcomes Survey Summary of Performance | Workshops & Training Opportunities There’s a lot to think about in planning for life after high school.  To make this transition successful, a transition plan must be included in a youth’s IEP starting when they are 16.  Previously, transition planning started at age 14, but when IDEA was reauthorized in 2004, it was changed to starting in the IEP to be in effect when a youth is 16 years of age. It’s important to know that the law doesn’t prohibit IEP teams from starting transition planning earlier (or at age 14) if they think it’s appropriate.  Check out the topics below for more information and help in transition planning. Post School Outcomes Survey In April, school districts mailed surveys to youth with IEP’s who graduated, aged out of special education, or dropped out of school as of June 30, 2006. These surveys were due back by June 30th The survey is part of NH’s state performance plan to improve services for students with disabilities.  It gathered data on how many youth who had IEPs and were competitively employed, enrolled in some type of post secondary school or both within one year of leaving high school.  The data is now being looked at on a state and school district level to determine where and what kinds of things need to happen to improve outcomes for youth with disabilities.  .  We encourage all youth to complete the survey and for parents to talk with their youth about the importance of completing and returning the survey.  Youth’s input is vital to improving services and outcomes for NH youth with disabilities. Stay tuned for updates on the survey results!   Summary of Performance  As part of the changes to transition requirements under IDEA 2004, a Summary of Performance is required for any youth with an IEP when the graduate or age out of special education.  It needs to have the following information:  •       Present level of academic achievement •     Present level of functional performance •       Recommendations on how to help youth meet their goals This summary is meant to be tool in helping youth meet your goals after high school.  It will help youth describe their strengths and skills as well as what they are going to need for help to be successful after high school.  It will NOT, however, be enough documentation to get services or support after high school.  In college and at work, youth will need to ask for accommodations and prove that they have a disability that requires those accommodations.  This summary won’t be enough to prove this, but will provide youth with the words to describe what they need and why.  The NH Department of Education has put out a model form that schools can use Directions to Complete Summary DOESample Summary of Performance DOE Sample Student Perspective Summary of Performance Fiscal Year Memos from the NH Dept. of Education about TransitionTo help school districts understand their requirements under IDEA 2004, the Department of Education (DOE) puts out guidance documents called Fiscal Year Memos.  They are numbered and deal with different topics related to special education.  Here are the memos that the DOE has sent out regarding secondary transition. FY07Memo 11 Post School Outcomes FY2007 Memo 12 Clarification and Adjustment of Post School Outcomes Data FY2007 Memo 19 Updated Post School Outcomes reports FY07Memo 24 Post School Outcomes Survey All Fiscal Year 2007 Memos http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/instruction/SpecialEd/2007Memorandum.htm All Fiscal Year 2006 Memos http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/instruction/SpecialEd/SPED2006.htm Workshops & Training Opportunities Workshops & Training Opportunities Get Involved (Opportunities) There are lots of ways youth with disabilities and their parents can get involved in the transition process.  One way is for youth to participate in their IEP meetings. There are also some other ways to get involved in the transition process. For Youth Write an article, poem or story for the Youth Scoop newsletter or website Ask the Self-Advocate a question Talk to other youth with disabilities or their parents about your experiences Get involved with school, state, or agency leadership opportunities For Parents Become a PIC Volunteer Advocate for Special Education Become an Enrich a Child’s Future Volunteer Participate in school, state and agency leadership opportunities Write an article or story for the PIC newsletter or website Links www.youthhood.org This Web site was built to help youth plan for the future. What will you do after high school? Will you work? Go to college? Live in a place of your own? By using this Web site, you can plan for your future right now!www.ncset.org The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.www.nhfv.org NH Family Voices provides information and support to families of children with special health care needs.  They also have an extensive lending library and publish Plugged In (insert link) a resource book for young people with special health care needs or disabilities and Maneuvering Through the Maze (insert link) a resource directory of NH agencies, organizations and services for families of children with special health care needs or disabilities. www.nscite.org NH Job Training Resources www.straffordlearningcenter.org Visit the Transition Resource Network page.  TRN is a regional intermediary providing training and technical assistance, information and referral to schools, employers, organizations, families and youth in Strafford County on a range of topics. www.mcst-nh.org The Monadnock Center for Successful Transitions is a collaboration between schools, local service agencies, families, businesses and youth, all interested in improving the transition for students to adulthood. The goal of MCST is to link resources assisting families, schools and support services to prepare youth for a successful transition to adulthood – including community participation, graduation, employment and postsecondary education www.NICHCY.org NICHCY is a national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals, with a special focus on children and youth (birth to age 22).  More links www.ncwd-youth.info NCWD/Youth also seeks to improve services to youth with disabilities by identifying quality workforce development strategies from the field. In Pro-Bank, a feature of the NCWD/Youth web site, effective practices have been collected from workforce development programs that have youth development principles at their core and an independently-validated record of program effectiveness. http://www.thinkcollege.net/ The ThinkCollege.net website was developed by the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, in collaboration with the Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii, and the Federation for Children with Special Needs. The website focuses on developing and encouraging post-secondary educational opportunities for students who have intellectual disabilities.