State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education (Page 32 of 277) in pdf

State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 32

Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit

Part B State Performance Plan

Transition In-service: Trainings are provided prior to the start of each school year upon request. These

typically provide a general overview of transition requirements and assessments but are customized to meet

the needs of the requesting district.

Self-Advocacy Strategy Training: The Self-Advocacy Strategy (SAS) will be provided throughout

Arkansas in the summer of 2008. SAS is a motivation and self-determination strategy designed to prepare

students to participate 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 acronym "I PLAN" to help cue students to remember the steps for the strategy. This training is

available at any time upon a district’s request.

TAKE OFF! (Transition Activities Keeping Effective Options First and Foremost): Teacher training will be

introduced in all co-op areas in the summer of 2008. This training focuses on demonstrating implementation

of exit portfolios for senior students with IEPs. It includes having students assist in writing their Summary

of Performance (SOP), maintaining all agency contacts and correspondence in a portfolio, participating in

qualifying assessments and maintaining records of performance for enrollment in post-secondary programs,

and involving parents in activities to become knowledgeable in the portfolio’s development. This training

culminates with a portfolio overview at the exit conference. Districts have the opportunity to purchase

student, parent and teacher manuals. This training is available at any time upon a district’s request.

Transition Class: Getting Started (formerly How to Develop a ‘Transitions’ Class) Training: Since 2007,

over 75 new Transitions classes have been established, with approximately 185 teachers and supervisors

receiving the training. Each attendee receives a manual that serves as a guide in developing a Transitions

class. Statewide trainings and regional trainings are held throughout the year.

Partnership with NSTTAC: The SEA maintains a 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 SEA on a “Focus” school, West Memphis High School. This

project includes working closely with the LEA Supervisor, the Transition Coordinator for West Memphis

High School and a Special Education teacher in implementing a Transitions Class. Financial and technical

assistance are being provided by NSTTAC and the Arkansas Transition Services. Data are collected and

analyzed to determine effective tools, assessments, curricula and practices.

College Bound 2009: This activity will be held June 17-19, 2009 at University of Central Arkansas (UCA).

Students, parents, and professionals will participate in team activities and sessions on self-determination,

organizational skills, assistive technology, academic advising, faculty expectations, disability support

services, financial aid, rights and responsibilities, campus resources, and study aids/habits. A post College

Bound survey will be sent to College Bound participants in an effort to gain information about its

effectiveness and to make improvements for College Bound 2010. College Bound 2010 is scheduled for

June 16-18, 2010 at UCA.

Transition Youth Conferences: In October 2008, two Transition Youth Conferences will be held in

southwest Arkansas, and another will be held in southeast Arkansas in February 2009. These conferences

target junior and senior year students with disabilities in all school districts of each participating co-op area.

Training has been developed to assist other co-ops throughout the state to conduct these conferences.

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State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 32