Transition Services for Students with Disabilities

Governor Doyle signed Senate Bill 529 revising state special education law into law effective July 1, 2006. Directors are reminded to review IEPs for students who are at least age 14, or will become 14 during the period their IEPs are in effect, to ensure they meet the transition requirements in the new law. This may include students who will be receiving ESY services this summer and will include all IEPs no later than the beginning of the 2006-07 school year. The transition requirements include having measurable, postsecondary goals for students based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and, where appropriate, independent living skills, and a description of transition services including courses of study needed to assist the students in reaching the goals beginning not later than in the first IEP that will be in effect when a student is 14 years of age. The new state law can be accessed at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/acts/05Act258.pdf. The transition requirements are found in Section 60 of the Act, s.115.787(2)(g), Wis. Stats. Questions about implementing the new state law can be directed to the Special Education Team. For additional information, see the State Performance Plan, Indicators 13 and 14.

Data for Indicator 13 will be collected through the Procedural Compliance Self-Assessment. The WSTI coordinators will provide technical assistance through CESA networking meetings. Data for Indicator 14 will be collected through the Post High School Outcomes Survey. See the SPP Cycle of Activities for training information.

Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative (WSTI)

Complete information on the resources and services offered by the Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative (WSTI) can be found at http://www.wsti.org/abt.main.php.

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) provides leadership and funding for a statewide systems change grant project titled: "Piloting A Comprehensive Multi-CESA Approach to provide Transition Services in the State of Wisconsin" also known as the Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative (WSTI). The primary purpose of this project is to assist local school districts in addressing the mandates of "The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act and the Amendments of 97 (IDEA '97)" and the transition service and process needs identified in the Wisconsin Design for Transition Success Project. The WSTI state discretionary project features a comprehensive approach to providing transition services in the State of Wisconsin. Twelve Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) Transition Coordinators, a MPS transition coordinator, a project director, and a DPI Transition Consultant offer comprehensive transition support services, information dissemination, and staff development to parents, education professionals, and community agency professionals throughout Wisconsin. WSTI coordinators provide technical assistance for Indicator 13 through CESA networking meetings.

• WSTI Professional Development Modules (9/24/07)
• WSTI Coordinators Contact Information

2007 transition resources from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

These resources from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, describe legal rights and responsibilities that will affect students with disabilities as they transition from high school to institutions of postsecondary education.

Dear Parent Letter

Describes differences between the services required to be offered to students with disabilities in elementary and high schools and the services required to be offered to students with disabilities required to be offered to students with disabilities by schools and institutions of higher education and vocational training. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/parent-20070316.html

New Transition Document for High School Educators (March 2007)

A list of questions and answers and other information designed to inform high school educators about possible challenges that students with disabilities might face when applying for admission to colleges, universities and technical schools. High school educators can assist their students with disabilities prepare themselves to be self advocates, to document their disabilities and to request needed accommodations to do their academic work. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transitionguide.html

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Questions and Answers and other information about the responsibilities of the student who is in transition between high school and higher education or postsecondary training. The document considers documentation of disabilities, the affect of a disability on a student’s admission process, the timing of a student’s decision to reveal that he or she has a disability and the timing of requests for accommodations needed by the student to complete academic work or vocational training. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html

Dear Colleague Letter

Describes the legal obligations of postsecondary schools toward students with disabilities. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20070316.html

Clearing House Partners for Information About Special Education Transition Services (DPI, DWD, DHFS)

DPI statewide project website for county agency contacts and services, Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative, Point of Entry Manuals WSTI POEM. Point of entry manuals are a listing of the contacts for services available within a county. Counties that are underlined have been posted on the web page. The intent of the statewide project is to have all counties eventually involved and posted on the website.

• Department of Workforce Development (DWD)
    -    Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
• Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS)
• WSTI - IEP Training (online learning program)

DPI Information and Other Resources

• Transition Action Guide for Post School Planning
• National Community of Practice on Transition. After signing in to the Community of Practice, click on Wisconsin to get an overview of the Wisconsin Community and current practice groups and activities.
• Wisconsin Technical College System - A Wisconsin Post-Secondary Guide to Disability Documentation 2004(9/15/04)
• Interagency Agreement Department of Public Instruction/Division for Learning Support: Equity and Advocacy, the Department of Workforce Development/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Department of Health and Family Services/Divisions of Long Term Care and of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the coordination of services for individuals transitioning from education to employment. (4/30/07)
• Transition to Adulthood: Resources for teachers working with students with emotional behavioral disabilities (EBD) (10/15/03)
  
  
• Opening Doors to Postsecondary Education and Training: A Handbook for Students, School Counselors, Teachers and Parents, Rev. 9/07
• Brochure: Postsecondary Opportunities for Students with Disabilities:   Information, Schools, Rights & Responsibilities, and Contacts - VERSION (3/03)
  
  
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities listing of Wisconsin State Resources

For questions about this information, contact Steve J. Gilles (608) 266-1146

Last updated on 3/20/2008 8:34:16 AM