Multi-tiered Transition Education and Supports Mary Morningstar, Ph.D. Amy Gaumer Erickson, Ph.D. Pattie Noonan, Ph.D. University of Kansas, Department of Special Education Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Career Development & Transition Conference Savanna, GA October 29, 2009

Think, Pair, Share: What is YOUR Definition of Multi-tiered Systems of Support?

Sailor, W. (2009). Beach Center on Disability

Multi-tiered Systems of Support vs. Transition “Multi-tiered Systems of Support” IS:“Transition” IS: Requires collaboration among multiple systems (general, special ed; community, families, etc.) Relies on data-based decisions & evidence- based interventions (academic & behavior) Systematic approach to ensure secondary school success Requires collaboration among multiple systems Relies on data-based decisions & evidence- based interventions (academic & behavior + postschool outcomes) Systematic approach to ensure postschool success

9 Essential Elements of Multi-tiered Transition Education and Supports Build and sustain capacity for responding to student needs Maximize resources needed for innovation Make informed decisions 1.Shared vision and collaboration 2.Leadership at state, district, & building levels 3.Educator support through mentoring and coaching 4.Culturally responsive practices 5. Resource mapping 6. Family and community involvement 7. Evidence-based practices 8. Data-based decision- making 9. Progress monitoring Jenson, 2008, Adapted by Noonan & Gaumer-Erickson, 2009

Curriculum focused on Postsecondary Outcomes Instruction Promotes Independence & Engagement Family Involvement Assessment for Student- focused Planning Collaboration Within School and Community All Some Few Curricular connections to careers & educational goals & interests Supplemental transition, academic, and/or behavior curriculum Individualized Transition Curricula Assessment for academic and career planning Supplemental assessment & planning for postschool outcomes Transition assessment & planning Family-focused individualized planning Supporting parents as partners in education Parent involvement in secondary academic & career planning Adapted from Morningstar & Clark, (2003) Instruction emphasizing choice & application Supplemental small group instruction and instructional support Individualized Community-based Instruction Broad-based Collaboration with Adult Agencies, Families, Employers, & Community Resources Collaboration within school and community targeted for groups Interagency Collaboration for transition

Curriculum Focused on Postsecondary Outcomes Individualized Transition Curricula Supplemental transition, academic, and/or behavior curriculum Curricular connections to careers & educational goals & interests All Some Few

Curriculum Focused on Postsecondary Outcomes Tier 1: All Students = Universal All curriculum includes connections to career & educational goals & interests Electives and/or pathways provide a range of career readiness opportunities Examples Service learning Success 101 Career report in language arts Budgeting practice in mathematics Civic responsibility discussion in social studies High Schools That Work Tech Prep

Curriculum Focused on Postsecondary Outcomes Tier 2: Some Students = Supplemental Supplemental transition, academic, and/or behavior curriculum Examples Wilson Reading Algebra ½ Elective course in pre- employment skills Self-determination curriculum Study skills course Curricular accommodations Work experience curriculum

Curriculum Focused on Postsecondary Outcomes Tier 3: Few Students = Intensive Individualized transition curricula Individualized modifications to academic curricula Examples Life skills curricula Supported employment Community-based transition programs Curricular modifications

Assessment for Student-focused Planning All Some Few Intensive transition assessment & planning Assessment for academic and career planning Supplemental assessment & planning for postschool outcomes

Assessment for Student-focused Planning Tier 1: All Students = Universal Early & ongoing assessment for developing career & graduation plans with high expectations for postsecondary education and employment and necessary supports for success “Emphasize rigor, relevance & engagement” Examples Early Career Assessments Personal Plans of Study State Assessments + SAT/ACT tests College Planning with Guidance counselors “Advisories” throughout HS w/ same educator Aligning HS to postsecondary education Postschool tracking systems for all students

Assessment for Student-focused Planning Tier 2: Some Students = Supplemental Assessment & supplemental planning across school and community settings with expectations for postsecondary and employment success and links to appropriate postschool settings. Examples Early Warning Systems (performance & attendance) Expanded AP Courses & Academic monitoring Additional supports & assessments as needed (GEAR UP, Talent Search, Upward Bound) Individualized career planning/Career Academies Expanded practice with college placement exams

Assessment for Student-focused Planning Tier 3: Few Students = Intensive Focus on preparation and supports needed for inclusion in community including postsecondary education and training; employment; independent and community living; social engagement and relationships, recreation & leisure Examples Wrap-around models Check & Connect Person-centered Planning Student-directed planning & Self-directed IEPs Specific transition assessments to guide planning Planning for programs in postsecondary settings

Instruction that Promotes Independence & Engagement Individualized Community-based Instruction Supplemental small group instruction and support Instruction emphasizing choice & application All Some Few

Instruction Promotes Independence & Engagement Tier 1: All Students = Universal Instruction emphasizing choice and application Developing a community of learners Reinforcing self- determined & self- regulating behavior Examples Universal design for learning Strategy instruction Soft skills modeling Differentiated Instruction Mentoring Active & cooperative learning

Instruction Promotes Independence & Engagement Tier 2: Some Students = Supplemental Supplemental small group instruction & instructional support Examples Co-teaching Instructional accommodations Transition club Tutoring Assistive technology integrated within instruction

Instruction Promotes Independence & Engagement Tier 3: Few Students = Intensive Intensive & individualized instruction Examples Instructional modifications Assistive technology for communication Generalization of skills to multiple settings Dedicated paraprofessional support

Family Involvement Supporting Postschool Outcomes Family-focused Transition Planning Supporting parents as Partners in education Parent involvement in secondary academic & career planning All Some Few

Family Involvement Supporting Postschool Outcomes Tier 1: Parent involvement in secondary academic & career planning = Universal Parental engagement with secondary schools through participation in school-wide activities and organizations Schools actively promote and support active parental engagement Examples PTA Standards for Family School Partnerships: (a) welcoming all families in school; (b) communicating effectively; (c) supporting student success; (d) speaking up for every child; (e) sharing power; (f) collaborating with community The Family Involvement Network of Educators (FINE) Communication with parents (newsletters, online grades) School events (e.g., job fairs, college fairs) involve parents Parents collaborate with student and school to develop individualized graduation plans Parent advocate models

Family Involvement Supporting Postschool Outcomes Tier 2: Supporting parents as partners in education= Supplemental Working directly with “hard to reach” families, including those from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds and those from low income areas. School outreach to hard- to-reach families Parent Information Resource Centers (PIRCs) Parent Involvement Specialists in Schools

Family Involvement Supporting Postschool Outcomes Tier 3: Family-focused Transition Planning = Intensive Parent engagement in transition planning and IEPs Parent Training and Information Centers Cultural community liaisons for CLD families Systematic support for families (e.g., parent transition & educational advocates) Community schools Active family involvement in planning for transition to postsecondary and employment settings

Collaboration within the School and Community Broad-based Collaboration with Adult Agencies, Families, Employers, & Community Resources All Some Few Inter and Intra- agency Collaboration for transition Collaboration within school and community targeted for groups

Collaboration within the School and Community Tier 1: All Students = Universal Broad-based Collaboration with employers, colleges, families, and across school staff to review outcomes and identify/address gaps Data-driven collaborative process Overarching shared vision (Collaborative School Environment) Examples School-Business Partnerships Professional Learning Communities Job Fairs, College Fairs for all Students Integrating of school/district wide improvement plans School/District Mission Statement Suicide Prevention School Resource Officers co- funded Alcohol and Drug Prevention

Collaboration within the School and Community Tier 2: Some Students = Supplemental Based on principles of multi- system collaboration In-school collaboration among diverse staff providing services to: students in ELL, At-risk of Failing and Drop-out, Special Education Culturally Responsive Practices Examples Screening Teams Social Worker/Guidance Support Group Counseling (co-funded) Community Transition Team Model Participation of school staff in community organizations, such as Business Advisory Councils, Chamber of Commerce, Board members of Agencies Community Resource Mapping Wrap Workers Co-funded staff for At-risk Students

Collaboration within the School and Community Tier 3: Few Students = Intensive Within the school and district, professionals from various diverse roles work together to provide high quality educational programming related to real life to students with disabilities School staff collaborate with outside agencies to develop linkages for post-secondary outcomes. Building Relationships Examples Collaboration and Coordination with Related Services Community-based Program Community Transition Team Model Building Relationships with: Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living Centers, Onestop Centers, Developmental Disability Organizations, Healthcare organizations, Employers and Employment Service providers VR/Special Education co- funding

What does it all mean? Pulling it all together… Multi-tiered Transition Education and Supports builds on overarching ideas which include: Transition is a data-driven process (student level benchmarks and goals, postschool outcomes and IEP indicators of success, monitoring) Students can move between tiers, depending on responsiveness, but also cycle back and forth Principles of intra-school and interagency collaboration Students with high incidence disabilities and at-risk rarely if ever receive valuable transition planning and services. IMPACT