Hi Everyone!
I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and that the black Friday sales treated you well! :-)
Over the past few weeks, I have been going through transition plans at various high schools and found that there are a few common mistakes that are easily avoidable, so I thought I would put together a little post to address the most common ones. In addition, on the right hand side I posted a Transition Checklist, that will help you double check that your plan is legally compliant. So with out further ado, here is a list of the common mistakes:
1. On the first page of the transition plan, make sure your transition goals are MEASURABLE. In the area of instruction, they should read:
Upon High School graduation the student WILL ATTEND ____________ full time/part time.
The language "plans on", "might" and "thinks: is NOT measurable and is not legally compliant.
2. If you list an assessment in the Assessment section, make sure you address the results in the summary section. These results should be data driven and should not include opinions and or speculation.
3. In the student strengths preferences area, please list what you know about the student that will make them successful in their chosen career or instructional goals. This is where observations and opinions can be listed. Make sure you write relevant and specific data to that student.
4. On page two of the transition plan, make sure you restate the students instructional and employment goal in the student needs section. Basically, you are just stating WHY you are working on the linked goal in relation to their transition goal. (FOR EXAMPLE: The student will need to improve their reading comprehension skills to be successful at Joliet Junior College)
5. Make sure you LINK YOUR GOALS!!!
6. The course of study now only has to include the REMAINING years of school, but it has to be SPECIFIC to the student and can not be a general course of study.
7. Make sure you attach your your permission form to invite an agency and most importantly, make sure YOU INVITE AN AGENCY! :-)
As always, if you have any other questions, please contact me!!
I hope you all have an excellent start to your holiday season!
Take Care!
