State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education (Page 175 of 277) in pdf

State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 175

Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit

Part B State Performance Plan

Of the five NASET quality indicators, three (schooling, career preparation, and connecting activities) were

chosen by the Arkansas team as priorities for comprehensive planning. Within each of these three priorities,

goals and action steps were developed to guide strategies during 2005-06. The three priorities identified

are:

SCHOOLING: In order to perform at optimal levels in all educational settings, all youth need to

participate in educational programs grounded in standards, clear performance expectations, and

graduation exit options based upon meaningful, accurate, and relevant indicators of student learning and

skills. Often this occurs without the input from agencies outside of education. Arkansas needs to include

other agencies in its school planning to ensure the educational process provides; career and technical

programs that are based on professional and industry standards; common performance measures; and

individualized transition plans that lead to positive post-school outcomes.

CAREER PREPARATORY EXPERIENCES : Arkansas needs to bring together multi-agency

programs to better serve youth with an IEP in the following areas: finding, formally requesting and

securing appropriate supports and reasonable accommodations in education, training and employment

settings; career assessments to help identify students’ school and post-school preferences and interests;

structured exposure to post-secondary educational and other life-long learning opportunities; exposure to

career opportunity requirements including information about entry requirements, educational

requirements, income and benefits potential and asset accumulation; and, improved job-seeking skills

and basic work-place skills.

CONNECTING ACTIVITIES: Improve interagency collaboration through: exploration of additional

ways to collaborate (e.g., joint training, data sharing, interagency transition conferences, and funding

coordination); development of a comprehensive plan for communication and the dissemination of

transition information for youth with an IEP; and expansion of training and technical assistance.

The State is using staff and resources of the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth

for additional technical assistance related to identifying needed planning partners centering on

transportation, housing, and technology. The State is also using staff funded through Title VI-B set-aside

dollars to offer student-specific interventions. These staff members are accessed through the Special

Education website request for services process known as “CIRCUIT”

( ).

As explained on the CIRCUIT web page, the IDEA authorizes State activities to Local Education Agencies,

including direct and supportive service activities, to improve results for children with disabilities, ages 3 to

21, by ensuring a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. For this purpose, a

regional cadre of special education consultants is available who can assist in interventions for students with

sensory disabilities, multiple physical disabilities, behavior, and autism spectrum disorders. Services can be

requested by parents, guardians, caregivers, school personnel, or any other concerned party. It is anticipated

that CIRCUIT will provide school personnel and parents with an easy access process to obtain support for

youth with IEPs at risk of dropping out.

The State is using technology, as well, to offer technical assistance resources to students, school personnel,

and parents through the new website ( ). This

web resource offers Arkansas-specific information on college, employment, community resources, and self-

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State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 175