ACT NowAchieving College Transitions Now:

Implementation Strategies for Secondary Youth

ACT Now Materials Include Template for development of Transition Skills

Development Team

Template for development of Transition Expo

Needs Assessments

Curriculum for parents, students and educators

ACT Now Curriculum Materials Educator and Parent Modules:

• power point slides • presenter script • supplemental booklet

Student Modules: • curriculum guide • student workbook• power point slides • video

Transition Needs SurveyAvailable for students, parents, and

educators

Provides information regarding current understanding of transition topics

Assists in determination of need for training various groups

The ACT Now Modules

Flexible delivery; multiple formats

Presentation ready via power point, overheads and activity masters

Interactive student activities

Parent and Educator Presentation Guides

PurposeObjectivesDelivery of ModuleTime RequiredInstructor Preparation

ACT Now:Educators

Educator Module Differences between IDEA 2004 and ADA

services, and accommodations

Changing roles and responsibilities

Accessing disability services and documentation of disability

Expectations and realities of the college environment

Essential Student Skills

Implementing the Educator Module

• Who: – special education teachers, supervisors, transition

coordinators– school counselors & school psychologists

• Why: – Increase general understanding of differences between high

school and college– Provide background knowledge so educators can assist

students and their parents with upcoming transition

• When/How: – As part of a teacher in-service day– As an ACT 48 workshop– Distribute teacher booklet for independent review

Excerpt from Presenter Script

Self advocacy skills are essential for students since they willbe required to do several things as they transition to a postsecondarysetting. They must:

• Self-identify to Office of Disability Services• Submit appropriate documentation of disability• Request reasonable accommodations• Utilize accommodations• Monitor the effectiveness of those accommodations

This is a change in mindset and behavior for students as well asteachers and parents. These tasks have been previously directedby the student’s parents and teachers. As students transition toa post-secondary institution, they will be expected to advocate forthemselves across these important areas.

ACT Now:Parents

Why Do Parent Training? Provides background knowledge regarding

differences between the K-12 educational system and the post-secondary educational system

Educates parents regarding the realities of college

Provides tips of things parents can do right now to help prepare their student

Parent Module Changing of laws from IDEA 2004 to ADA

New roles and responsibilities

Accessing disability services and documentation of disability

Expectations and realities of the college environment

Reasonable & appropriate accommodations

ACT Now Timely Tips

Implementing the Parent Module• Who:

– Parents of students with disabilities who are considering pursuing a post-secondary education

• Why: – Increase understanding of college expectations– Provide information regarding documentation requirements and

reasonable accommodations

• When: – As part of a parent forum –include topic on transition to college– As part of College Night

• How:– Personal invitations to parents of ACT Now participants– Outreach to parent groups within district– Co-present with school counselor – Distribute parent booklet at IEP meeting

Excerpt from Presenter ScriptSo what do these changes mean to you?

Access: Post-secondary institutions are prohibited from discriminating against a person because of a disability. They must provide ACCESS to the education to otherwise qualified individuals.

Eligibility: Students must meet requirements to be eligible for reasonable accommodations at the post-secondary level. The eligibility requirements may be different from those in the K-12 system.

Otherwise Qualified: The term “otherwise qualified” means different things at the K-12 and post-secondary levels. In high school, your child may be qualified for services just by being within the age range set forth by IDEA 2004 and having a disability. However, in post-secondary institutions, your child must be qualified to meet the admissions standards to an institution as well as the standards for specific programs within an institution.

FERPA: FERPA means that post-secondary institutions cannot release grades or academic records to parents without the student’s permission. This means that college staff will not discuss this information with parents or others without student’s written permission. This is a big change for the parents who have been very involved in their student’s day-to-day educational experience.

ACT Now:Students

Student Curriculum

Curriculum guideSix modulesStudent workbookSmall group and individual activitiesCore activitiesSupplemental activities

Student Module Overview1. Transition Planning – What is That Anyway?

2. Who Are You? Knowing your Strengths and Weaknesses

3. You and College: You Mean I Have To Do It?

4. What Do I Do Now? Self Identification & Documentation

5. How Do I “Do” College? Requesting Reasonable Accommodations

6. College 101

The curriculum guide…

Each module starts with– Purpose– Key Terms– Suggested Order of Presentation– Instructor Preparation

Student Curriculum: Module 1

Transition Planning – What is That Anyway?

Why Are You Here? Student SurveyPrepare for Life After High SchoolWhat is My Disability?Your Role in the Transition

Activity:

What is My Disability?

Student Curriculum: Module 2

Who Are You? Knowing your Strengths and Weaknesses

High School and YouCollege and YouIndividual AppointmentA Different Viewpoint

Activity:

College and You

Student Curriculum: Module 3

You and College: You Mean I Have To Do It?

Whose Job is it Anyway?Communication PreferencesWhat is Self Advocacy?

Student Curriculum: Module 4

What Do I Do Now? Self Identification & Documentation

Why the Change? The Laws SimplifiedDetermining Eligibility for AccommodationsDocumentation SimplifiedDoes This Documentation Make the Grade? Be a

Documentation DetectiveDoes MY Documentation Make the Grade? Individual AppointmentResearching College WebsitesCollege Screening ToolWho’s Responsible?

Activity:

Documentation Detective

Student Curriculum: Module 5

How Do I “Do” College? Requesting Reasonable Accommodations

Now That You Are Eligible for AccommodationsReasonable and Appropriate AccommodationsAccommodations SimplifiedCollege AccommodationsACT Now College Video Individual AppointmentRole Play

Student Curriculum: Module 6

College 101

Accommodations – Next StepsWho Stays in Post Secondary EducationNavigating the System: Myths and RealitiesLook How Far You’ve Come! Student SurveyACT Now Crossword PuzzleCountdown to College Checklist

Implementing the Student Modules

• Who should participate:– Students with disabilities who are considering a post-

secondary experience• Why:

– Increase knowledge of essential transition concepts– Increase knowledge about themselves as learners– Helps students make post-secondary decisions– Increases confidence in students– Increases knowledge about the college experience

Implementing the Student Modules

• When/How:– During the school day -as a pull out program– As an after-school program– Embedded into the curriculum – As an elective course– As a summer program in partnership with local

college– Minimum of six 45 – 60 minute meeting – Individual appointment outside of class session– Collaborate with institution of higher education

ACT Now:Program

Implementation

Implementing ACT Now In Your District

• Obtain Administrative support• Conduct Needs Assessment• Consider following questions:

– Who will start and facilitate process of implementaiton– Who will participate

• Educators• Parents• Students with disabilities

– When and how will trainings occur– What are the challenges in your district

• Develop Action Plan