2. IDEA Partnership1 Self-determination and Youth Investment Pathway to Success for all Students including Those with Disabilities November 2011

3. IDEA Partnership 2 The IDEA Partnership acknowledges the contributions of cross- stakeholders, including persons representing,  Teachers,  General Education Administrators,  Special Education Administrators,  Related Service Personnel,  Families and youth,,  Higher education, and  Technical Assistance Providers -and- is deeply grateful to Project Unify of the Kennedy Foundation /Special Olympics for its leadership and facilitation of this collaborative effort. November 2011

4. IDEA Partnership 3 Agenda Definition Rationale Key elements Implementation issues Additional Resources November 2011

5. Cradle to College and/or Career… Aligns services  Public and private  School and community Supports success  Academic  Social  Occupational Benefits child/young adult and community

6. Why to / ? Remain in school  Good attendance  Active learning Go on to college or advanced training Get and keep a job Live independently Give back to the community High School Graduation

7. Why to / ? Remain in school  Good attendance  Active learning Go on to college or advanced training Get and keep a job Live independently Give back to the community High School Graduation

8. Students must demonstrate… Academics Choice-making Decision-making Problem-solving Goal-setting Self-awareness Self-advocacy and leadership

9. Dropping out… 7,000 leave school each day At this rate: 13 million will leave school in the next decade Economic impact (2009 dropouts)  Each costs the nation over $260,000 over his/her lifetime  If all had graduated, benefit of $335 billion to nation’s economy over their lifetimes November 2011 IDEA Partnership 8

10. Most likely to drop out… Academic performance Low grades Low test scores F’s in English and Math Few credits Retention Educational engagement Low engagement High absenteeism Poor school behavior Low extracurricular participation Poor relationships with teachers and peers November 2011 IDEA Partnership 9

11. Expected outcomes… Remain in school  Good attendance  Active learning Go on to college or advanced training Obtain and keep a job Live independently Give back to the community High School Graduation November 2011 IDEA Partnership 10

12. Key elements… Collaboration  School  Family  Agencies Clear communication  Culture and language  Use of technology November 2011 IDEA Partnership 11

13. Support providers… Schools  Title I, IDEA, Gifted, etc.  Breakfast and lunch programs Families Agency after-school programs School-based mental health Medical health Etc. November 2011 IDEA Partnership 12

14. High School Last stepping stone into post-secondary education, employment, and adulthood Preparation for systems of the future Focus on transferable skills November 2011 IDEA Partnership 13

15. Key elements… high school Academic rigor Curricular integration / transition services  Self-advocacy  Career shadowing and work opportunities  Post-secondary education options  Mentoring and coaching November 2011 IDEA Partnership 14

16. Support providers… Schools Families Mentor programs / job-shadowing programs Higher Education Vocational Rehabilitation Juvenile Justice / Probation Etc. November 2011 IDEA Partnership 15

17. Key elements… post-secondary & employment Self-determination Empowerment Self-advocacy Mentoring and coaching Social networks Mental health services November 2011 IDEA Partnership 16

18. Support providers… Colleges and universities Technical schools Internships Military Community agencies and work places November 2011 IDEA Partnership 17

19. Critical Skills Frequently Overlooked Self-determination Empowerment November 2011 IDEA Partnership 18

20. Self-determination is… a concept reflecting the belief that all individuals have the right to direct their own lives. Students who have self-determination skills have a stronger chance of being successful in making the transition to adulthood, including employment and independence November 2011 IDEA Partnership 19

21. Self-Determination Is Learned… through real-world experience, which inherently involves taking risks, making mistakes, reflecting on outcomes testing his or her strengths and limitations identifying appropriate short- and long-term goals. and open, supportive acknowledgement and discussion of their disability. November 2011 IDEA Partnership 20

22. Tips for Promoting Self-Determination in Youth with Disabilities Promote Choice Making Encourage Exploration of Po ssibilities Promote Reasonable Risk Taking Encourage Problem Solving Promote Self Advocacy Facilitate Development of Self-Esteem Develop Goal Setting and Planning Help Youth Understand Their Disabilities November 2011 IDEA Partnership 21

23. Empowerment is… a process which helps people gain power. People who are empowered have the knowledge and ability to lead. November 2011 IDEA Partnership 22

24. What does it mean to be empowered? Taking responsibility for your choices and decisions Working toward your goals Having confidence and pride in your abilities Living with enthusiasm and passion Knowing how your actions affect others November 2011 IDEA Partnership 23

25. Empowerment includes having… access to information decision-making power a range of options from which to make choices a positive outlook on being able to make change the ability to increase one’s self image and overcome stereotypes of discrimination. November 2011 IDEA Partnership 24

26. When are you NOT empowered? When you do whatever you want whenever you want and ignore expectations and rules When you bypass everyone who will say “no” so you can get your own way When you only do the easy November 2011 IDEA Partnership 25

27. November 2011 IDEA Partnership 26 Being successful in making the transition to adulthood, including employment and independence requires systems change.

28. All levels in the process must include… Collaboration Coordination Continuity November 2011 IDEA Partnership 27 … to create seamless systems of service Clearly articulated from level to level

29. Systems that… Value, honor and support all youth Coordinate agency resources Support smooth transitions from year to year, developmental level to developmental level Emphasize child/youth growth in  Academics  Social/emotional well being  Health and fitness  Civic responsibility November 2011 IDEA Partnership 28

30. Systems that focus on… Balance  Academic & social/emotional skills  Physical & mental health  Family life and building independence Intentional transition plans from the beginning Collaboration  Families, schools, agencies, community services  Shared resources & responsibility November 2011 IDEA Partnership 29

31. Your involvement is key to the success of all our children and young adults!

32. Additional resources November 2011 IDEA Partnership 31 The IDEA Partnership www.ideapartnership.org www.ideapartnership.org Project Unify of the Kennedy Foundation /Special Olympics www.specialolympics.org/projectunify.aspxwww.specialolympics.org/projectunify.aspx Breaking Ranks http://www.nassp.org/tabid/3162/default.aspx http://www.nassp.org/tabid/3162/default.aspx Breaking Ranks in the Middle School http://www.nassp.org/Portals/0/Content/53495.pdf http://www.nassp.org/Portals/0/Content/53495.pdf Ready by 21, Forum for Youth Investment http://www.forumfyi.org/readyby21 http://www.forumfyi.org/readyby21

33. November 2011IDEA Partnership32 Reflections! Questions? Discussion. ? !. ? ? ! !.