State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education (Page 178 of 277) in pdf

State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 178

Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit

Part B State Performance Plan

tracked to determine effectiveness related to student performance. P.O.I.S.E. Technical Advisory Teams

will coordinate interventions based upon disaggregated data. The IDEA Data & Research Office will

develop an evaluation methodology for the C.O.R.E. project.

Additional activities aimed at improving secondary transition will be conducted throughout the year by the

P.O.I.S.E. staff.

The Secondary Transition Team Training and Events include:

• Training on how to use the Indicator 13 checklist provided by the National Secondary Transition and

Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) in districts throughout Arkansas. Data obtained will be used

to improve transition services. This is included in a comprehensive assessment training provided to

teachers. Teachers are given the complete toolkit from NSTTAC on the Indicator 13 checklist.

• Continued partnership with the National Secondary Transition and Technical Assistance Center to

improve transition services and ultimately improve student post-school outcomes. NSTTAC is also

working with the State secondary transition team in a “Focus” school, West Memphis High School.

In particular, the team is working closely with the LEA Supervisor, the Transition Coordinator for

West Memphis High School and a Special Education teacher in implementing a Transitions Class.

NSTTAC along with the team from the Arkansas Transition Services is providing financial and

technical assistance. Data will be collected and reported to determine what tools, assessments,

curricula and practices were most effective.

• Participation in the Arkansas Youth Leadership Forum. This event is put on by Arkansas

Rehabilitation Services and information for one of the sessions is presented by a transition

consultant. This forum is designed to assist high school students with disabilities to learn leadership

and self-determination skills. In the transition session students are provided the opportunity to learn

the importance of disability awareness, goal setting, and self-advocacy skills they will need for post-

secondary education and the work place.

• The website went online in 2006 and in 2008 the website was

redesigned and received a new name, Arkansas Transition Services, located at

Each transition consultant has a focus area and one consultant serves

as the webmaster. The website is continually updated.

• Person-Centered Planning Training and facilitation of meetings.

• Training for districts on "How to Develop a Transitions Class." Over 75 new Transitions Classes

have begun in the state since 2007, with approximately 185 teachers and supervisors receiving the

training to date. Each attendee receives a manual that serves as a guide in developing a Transitions

Class.

• Transitions II Class Training is being developed. This training assists teachers in designing unique

programs to enhance student growth and outcomes. Teachers are provided a workbook and receive

in depth training and tools on how to successfully recruit employers in their areas. The training

focuses on incorporating a community based program into a student’s transition plan when that need

is indicated.

• Self-Advocacy Strategy Training: The Self Advocacy Strategy is a motivation and self-

determination strategy designed to prepare students for participation in education or transition

planning conferences. The strategy consists of five steps which are taught over a series of seven

acquisition and generalization stages. The five steps are presented using the mnemonic "I PLAN" to

help cue students to remember the steps for the strategy. Five districts are known to have purchased

the curriculum. The strategies are linked to the Indicator 13 Checklist as follows:

o Item #1: Student participation in identification of postsecondary goals

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State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 178

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