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Self Determination:

self-determination : n1. the power or ability to make a decision for oneself
“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.” (Wehmeyer & Schwartz, 2007).
“Self-determination is not achieved simply because an individual has certain requisite knowledge and skills; it is also important that key people and institutions in a young person’s life provide a context conducive to self-determination.” (Abery and Stancliffe , 2006)

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How do we facilitate self determination in our students?��Supporting a young person in becoming self-determined is not about simply removing limits and structure. It is, rather, about providing opportunities for a young person to make meaningful decisions about his or her own future. ��For teachers and families, supporting self-determination requires being open to new possibilities and taking a student’s dreams for his/her future seriously. ��For students with an IEP, this MUST occur through the IEP process.��

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The Transition IEP:

Required for all students with IEPs as they turn 16 (i.e. if the student is 15 at the time of his/her IEP)
Required at age 14, if necessary and appropriate

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The Transition IEP:

Must Include:

Information for PLAAF: Functional Performance (Social and Emotional Behavior, Physical Development, Communication, Parent Input on Functional Achievement, Transition , Independent Living Skills, Environmental Access/Mobility, Self Determination/Self Advocacy Skills, and Transition Sources of Information).
Transition Goal(s): Annual goals must post-secondary goals!
Transition Assessments Completed
Transition Services: Student transition strengths, preferences and career interests
Measureable Post-Secondary Goals: Always required for employment and training/education. Required for Independent living as necessary and appropriate.
Coordinated Set of Transition Services/ Activities : (at least one)
Projected Course of Study: (related to post-secondary goals)
Statement of Agency Collaboration/Responsibilties

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Transition Assessment

Assessment is an integral and ongoing part of the transition

process. Both short-range and long-range transition planning and assessment should begin early.

Beginning as early as the primary grades, the IEP should contain information related to independence skills and career development.

By the time a student reaches middle and high school, transition assessment should become more systematized and focused on transition to specific adult outcomes

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TRANSITION ASSESSMENT

In addition to academic assessment, transition assessment should include:

• Vocational skills and experiences including evaluation of abilities to perform tasks for a specific occupation

AND

• The student’s goals and preferences in the following areas: employment, independent living, community involvement, personal and social activities, transportation, and the ability to self advocate

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Transition assessment attempts to attain:

the student’s current functioning level
goals the student would like to achieve
steps/activities/learning experiences needed to accomplish or redefine his/her goals
( including: instructional, community experiences, employment, post school and adult living, related services, daily living, functional assessments needed)

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Components of Transition Assessment:

Colorado Department of Education, Special Education Services Unit

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How to facilitate a student involved, transition driven IEP:

Commit time & energy to knowing your student
Talk to your student regularly about her/his goals for life after high school and steps/activities/learning experiences needed to accomplish or redefine his/her goals
Allow, encourage and assist your student to make informed choices regarding classes to take, school activities in which to engage, jobs to apply for, books to read, people to meet, food to eat, etc…..
Engage in transition assessment of your student, either formally or informally. Share this with your school’s transition team. If the student is formally enrolled in the VR-TSW program, a TSW mentor will contact you so as to coordinate transition services.
You as case manager are responsible for the IEP including the transition sections. Ensure that all sections include information before closing IEP. TSW mentors will input transition sections on TSW students but you must be familiar with this information .

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Why? (the rationale behind the (self) determined IEP):

Students are developing identity. Teachers/case managers/ caring adults (TCMCA) can help with this.
Students don’t know all that is out there. TCMCA do and can help students to see/understand the world better.
Students don’t fully understand their exceptionality – their individual strengths and needs or what accommodations they need for post secondary success.
Students have not developed self determination or self-advocacy skills (and all this will help)
Besides, it’s the law…..

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Through student involvement in their IEPs:

Students develop greater self-determination
Students better understand who they are, where they have been, and who and where they want to be
Students better understand their exceptionality and what will enhance their educational/ professional/ personal lives
Students become self-advocates, a requisite post secondary skill.
Students become better students and more successful adults

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Facilitating a Student Involved IEP:�

Helps students to understand their IEPs (and perhaps, a future Accommodations Plan)
Engages students in the IEP process
Prepares students to participate in and/or determine their IEPs
Monitors ongoing self-advocacy
Helps students to feel in charge

and perhaps, even committed to

success at school!

Grows student self-determination!

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Developing a Student-Led IEP program

Involve Students
Involve Parents
Involve Colleagues/Administrators
Ensure Confidentiality
Plan Case Manager-student talks

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Parental Involvement:

Explain the process
Parents participation still valued and needed
Answer their questions honestly &fully
Discuss Transfer of Rights.

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Helping Students to Understand their IEP

What does my IEP look like?
What does it mean to have an IEP?
Why do I have an IEP? What is my disability?
How do I learn? What helps me ?
What do I want to do post-graduation? 5 -10 years from now?
How do I transition to Adult Life?
Parts of the IEP:

Where am I now (PLAAF)?
Where do I need to be a year from now? (Annual Goals) After I graduate? (Measureable post secondary goals)
How am I going to get there? (Coordinated set of Transition Services, Course of Study, Accommodations, etc)

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Student (IEP Vocabulary) Glossary(discussed in classes, 1:1, etc.)

Identification – exceptionality – disability
PLAAF
Transition Planning
Measureable Post secondary goals
Coordinated Transition Activities
Assessment
Annual goal
Accommodation/Modification
State and District Testing
Specially Designed Instruction
Related Services
Free and Appropriate Education
Placement
Least Restrictive Environment
Confidentiality
Disclosure

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Engaging Students in Reviewing current IEP

Helping Students Access their IEPs

Review each section
Ask clarification questions
Highlight statements that you disagree with or don’t understand
Add your own ideas for things you think need to be added for this year

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The (Self) Determined IEP Meeting Agenda

Introductions
Where/who does the student want to be in the future? (Measureable Post-Secondary Goals)
How is she/he going to get there? (Coordinated set of transition activities/services, course of study, transition goals, etc.) VR referral…..
What accommodations are and will be needed?
Where is the student now? (PLAAF) Gen Ed brief report on student progress (NOT just a grade report)
Where does the student need to be a year from now? (Annual Goals)
Other considerations (AIMS, etc.)
LRE
Transfer of Rights
Signatures

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IEP meeting guidelines

The case manager and the student facilitate/direct the meeting
The IEP will start and end on time (1 Hour)
Let the student talk!
Don't interrupt when another participant "has the floor." (This includes no “sidebar” conversations.)
Don't criticize the ideas of others.
Build on the ideas shared by others.
Remain open-minded and non-judgmental.
Everyone participates; no-one dominates.
Keep personal accounts to a minimum.
Make compromises when necessary.
Stick to the agenda and time frames.

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Provide Support During the IEP Meeting

Facilitate with the student
Acknowledge the preparation that the student did for the meeting
When discussing difficult topics, keep the focus on student strengths
Create a visual signal for the student to use if he/she becomes overwhelmed
Be sensitive to needs of student and

family

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Train other staff members

Let the student talk
Look at the student when he/she is talking
Use the student’s name and speak directly to the student
Do not refer to the student in the third person; refer all comments about the student to the student
Ask the student questions first
Always allow the student to finish speaking
Use person-first language
Restate what you heard the student say if necessary

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