SPED 618: Lifelong Integration Brad Witzel, PhD Winthrop University

What is Life long Integration? Integration of services for a student (career, vocational, etc.) are presumed to be included in and part of the academic setting in order to make it easier for the student to utilize them more effectively. Effective integration affects curricula, pedagogy, instructional delivery options, transitional considerations, and IEP team collaboration.

Following the Job Training Partnership Act (1982) Workforce Investment Act (1998) lists vocational evaluation, career planning, job placement, and employer contacts to be among services to be integrated. What other services may be needed?

What else??? Special Education services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA, 2004). –Push for inclusion –College preparations Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may provide certain protections for children who may not be considered eligible for special education.

Why is this important? While the focus of education has turned to academic, students’ need for functional, life skills has continued (Wehman, 2005) Low employment rates Under-employment rates High numbers of students identified with disabilities High numbers of students identified as being at-risk for dropout or repeated failure

Employment rates of students with disabilities (Census data) National stats (excluding institutions and college dorms) 21 to 64 years:62,908,234 With a disability:7,409, % Employed3,257, % Not employed4,152, % No disability55,498, % Employed47,928, % Not employed7,569, %

2000 Census on Students with Disabilities br-17.pdfhttp:// br-17.pdf Page 2 provides details of students with disabilities. Page 7 compares states. Focus on which states are above 21% for ages 5 and older.

Employment rates of students with disabilities (Census data) SC stats (excluding institutions and college dorms) 21 to 64 years:781,308 With a disability:105, % Employed45, % Not employed60, % No disability675, % Employed593, % Not employed81, %

In SC, things are worse… Highest dropout rate in the country Low overall reading levels and high illiteracy rates Low math scores High Teacher Dropout More…

What can we do about it? Special Education service delivery options –Team teaching / Inclusion –Consultation (Deno described this is as the first service delivery option) –Resource room –Study hall / Homework room –Afterschool options –Therapy (ies)

Inclusion Pros –Alternative to unsuccessful pull out programs and continued high dropout –Social skill observations –More Cons –Need for administrative support in planning –More special educators are needed if classes are going to be truly diverse –More

Our charge This course will focus on the study of integration and transition across the life span, collaboration and team building and delivery of family-centered services. How will each of these components contribute to us “solving” the above stated problems?