LAW DEPARTMENT

TRANSITION WORK GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

Education Committee, November 3, 2014 Presented by: Aimee Rankin Zundel, Esq. Cheryl Kleiman, Esq.

TRANSITION WORK GROUP: How was it created?

• Work flowed out of a private student settlement negotiated between PPS and the Education Law Center • PPS committed to convene District and other professionals with expertise in vocational education for adolescent students with disabilities

PURPOSE: To discuss challenges of programming for students of transition age, especially those with emotional disabilities and social / behavioral challenges

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TRANSITION WORK GROUP: Meetings

• Meetings occurred May 22nd and July 14th • Work group sought ways to incorporate functional academic instruction into real-world work experiences • Focus on increasing the availability of inclusive work settings to all students with disabilities, regardless of disability category

GOAL: Written document with suggestions and recommendations to the District for enhancing transition services to students ages 14-21.

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TRANSITION WORK GROUP: Who participated?

• • • • • • •

District Mary Jane Conley, Former Executive Director – PSE Donna Westbrooks-Martin, Executive Director – PSE Aimee Rankin Zundel, Law Department Crystal Evans, Transition Coordinator – PSE Peg Fitzgerald, Transition Coordinator – PSE Dr. Lillian Wright, Senior Program Officer – PSE Dr. Dara Ware Allen, Asst. Superintendent for Student Support Services

• • • • •

Community Agencies Nancy Hubley, Education Law Center Jennifer Staley McCrady, KidsVoice Mary Hartley, 21 & Able Cindy Duch, PEAL Center Rose Baumann, PEAL Center

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TRANSITION WORK GROUP: RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATION 1:

Clarify the role and job description of the transition counselor for school administration and staff. Utilize the transition counselor to maximize their expertise while creating strategies to fill in personnel gaps that remain after fully utilizing the transition counselor.

RECOMMENDATION 2:

Increase focus on students with social and emotional challenges (mental health/behavioral challenges), including students at Oliver Citywide Academy, to support and expand transition opportunities.

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TRANSITION WORK GROUP: RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATION 3:

Conduct overarching review of the District’s transition programs and services. In particular, increase access to academic support for transition beginning in or before 9th grade.

RECOMMENDATION 4:

Increase collaborations inside the District and in the broader community to support awareness and transition readiness for all children.

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TRANSITION WORK GROUP: RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATION 5:

Increase parent and student involvement in transition planning and implementation.

RECOMMENDATION 6:

Evaluate the transition services being provided to students from ages 14 to 21 with Section 504 Plans / Chapter 15 Service Agreements. 7

TRANSITION WORK GROUP: Next Steps

• •

Solicit feedback from Local Task Force on the Right to Education (Recommendations presented 10/28) Discuss funding necessary to implement Recommendations

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BOARD ACTION: Resolution proposing acknowledgement of the Transition Work Group Recommendations

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QUESTIONS Legal Department:

Aimee Zundel Board Office: (412) 529-3782 | Downtown: (412) 391-9890 [email protected]

Program for Students with Exceptionalities:

Donna Westbrooks-Martin, Executive Director (412) 529-3149 [email protected]

Crystal Evans, Transition Coordinator (412) 529-3143 [email protected]

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