Tips for Schools

TSLP Programs

Catch the Wave
A day of university orientation for high school students with disabilities who are considering post-secondary education.

Project Skills
A paid work experience program for high school students with disabilities. The work experience can last from 50-250 hours, with no overtime allowed. Students are paid minimum wage.

YLF
A unique career and leadership training program for high school students with disabilities to learn more about self advocacy skills, disability awareness and more.

Transition Tacklebox
Compilation of in-depth transition resources for SPED personnel and families.

South Dakota’s Guide to Post-Secondary Disability Documentation
This guide will assist all organizations, as well as parents and students, to determine their roles and to assist students with disabilities who enroll in post-secondary education to obtain needed documentation.

QuickBook of Transition Assessments
This guide will provide technical assistance to school districts and/or agencies that provide special education or special education and related services to youth with disabilities.

Technical Assistance Guide for Transition in the IEP
This guide will provide technical assistance for IEP team committee members, especially special education teachers, in developing and writing transition IEP's utilizing the newly adopted South Dakota IEP transition pages.

Tips for Schools

The student, family, school and appropriate agencies must decide together what the content of the IEP will be. A successful transition plan involves ALL of these entities working cooperatively to develop and provide the programs, services, and activities in the IEP. However, the school has the ultimate responsibility and authority for ensuring a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE).

When planning for a student’s transition to life after high school, educators need to begin the journey on a solid foundation. This is best accomplished by making sure the IEP team knows the interests, aptitudes and abilities of the student. Transition assessments, whether formal or informal, is where it all begins. Information gathered from the transition assessments is then used as the driving force behind the IEP. If the student’s dreams for the future are to enroll in a technical institute and become a mechanic, transition services & activities, along with goals should center on assisting the student to get closer to this dream OR to assist him/her to realize that it may not be his/her dream.

The clearly-stated purpose of IDEA is that the special education and related services a student receives be uniquely designed to prepare the student for further education/training, employment, and independent living, where appropriate. A coordinated set of activities in these areas, with outside agency involvement, needs to be addressed in the IEP throughout the student’s high school education, so there are positive outcome based results. With proper transition planning & outside agency involvement, students with disabilities should have all connections made for their post-school plans, prior to receiving their signed high school diploma.

Why Is Effective Transition Planning Important?

Helps students achieve his/her dreams! (Performance Indicator 13)

Prevents dropout! (Performance Indicator 2)

Increases graduation rates! (Indicator 1)

Increases enrollment in postsecondary education! (Performance Indicator 14)

Improves employment rates! (Performance Indicator 14)

Summary of Performance

Links:

SD Teachers Make Transition Happen

Invitation of Agencies (Consent Form)

State Performance Plan

Indicator 13 checklist & specifics