MOVING ON UP

Vermont Family Network with Department of Education Essential Early Education (EEE)

Transitions Happen Every Day

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Elements of Successful Transition

• Transition research tells us: – Not one size fits all – Family involvement is critical to

success

– All stakeholders are identified and involved 3

Moving to a new setting

• kindergarten with peers • part of the school community • IEP services received at school 4

What Families Say & Do

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What Helps?

• In January before my daughter transitioned to kindergarten I met with her preschool teacher, one of the kindergarten teachers, and the school principal. We discussed her current abilities and what we anticipated her needs to be once she went to kindergarten. Then in April I visited the kindergarten classroom. My daughter also visited that spring with her preschool class. Our visits and meetings with the teacher helped me to feel more confident that things would go smoothly for my daughter. 6

Sharing Information

• Likes, dislikes • Strengths, learning needs • Health, medical needs • Hopes and dreams • Concerns, questions 7

What Others Say

Kindergarten teacher Prior contact with the family and school staff is very important as is the needs for communication between EEE and the school. Think about having the EEE students come to the school for a spring picnic.

Principal What we have to understand about schooling is the central importance of relationships. The best transition activities are those that foster strong relationships among parents, teachers, and children.

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What Others Say

Special Educator The sooner we know the family the better. I can’t stress that enough.

with me. I’m not going!

Kids If she’s (EEE teacher) not coming to Kindergarten 9

Some thoughts to keep in mind.....

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A Transition Planning Model: The TEAM Approach GUIDELINE ONE

Provide families with information, support and opportunities 11

TEAM APPROACH GUIDELINE TWO

Plan the transition from EEE to kindergarten.

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TEAM APPROACH GUIDELINE THREE

Provide children with opportunities to learn 13

TEAM APPROACH GUIDELINE FOUR

Schools are ready for child’s arrival 14

TEAM APPROACH GUIDELINE FIVE

Provide services to support the IEP 15

The Transition Plan

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Getting Ready for Kindergarten Transition Practices

• Family-school connections – Connecting families to community resources • Child-school connections – Connecting with the kindergarten teacher • Peer connections – Connecting with peers outside of school • Community – Connecting with others in school about the chld 17

Getting ready for kindergarten What are the possibilities?

• Open house for kindergarten families • Visits to the kindergarten classroom • Kindercamp during the summer • Special day for kindergarten registration 18

So what are schools required to do in order to ensure a smooth transition for a child?

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IEP team shall meet three to six months prior to your child’s entrance into kindergarten.

In addition to the current IEP team members which includes the parents, the receiving kindergarten teacher, and special educator or LEA representative shall be invited to attend the transition meeting.

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IEP team shall ensure that the IEP is ready to be implemented at the beginning of the new school year.

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IEP Considerations may include

• Appropriate LRE placement • Updated goals/objectives as warranted • Specialized instruction (frequency/duration) • Related services (frequency/duration) • Transportation options/concerns • Necessary accommodations and adaptive equipment • Staff training 22

QUESTIONS ?

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