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Priscilla Harvell
Secondary and Speech/Language Specialist

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Question:

Hi Priscilla:

I love the web page and all the info you have. I am currently interested in up-to-date info on transition laws and practices! Great info.

Do you still provide training in transition?

Dona

Answer:

Hi Dona,

It was great to see you at the WorkAbility I Conference in San Diego last month. I hope your Transition presentation went well on April 29 th.

As you know, President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (Public Law 108-446), on December 3, 2004. This signing constituted a major reauthorization and revision of IDEA. To summarize, the changes in the area of Transition focus on the following:

  1. Transition was amended to clarify the services as a results-oriented process vs. an outcome-oriented process.
  2. The focus is on improving academic and functional achievement.
  3. Timing of the requirement, e.g., statement of “Transition Services is changed to “not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16… (614(d)(1) (A)(i)(VIII)). The current IDEA speaks to Transition needs beginning at age 14 and/or earlier is needed. California maintains this age focus, but will comply with the change once the amended IDEA becomes effective in July 2005. Remember that even though the law changes the timing, “best practices” dictate that educators continue to address Transition before age16.
  4. Language continues to reflect post-secondary goals for appropriate education, training, employment and independent living skills based on the student’s strengths and interest. (614(d)(1)(A)(i)(VIII)(aa)).

This chart, from The National Association of State Directors of Special Education 16

November 2004 at

http://www.nasdse.org/documents/IDEA%20Part%20A%20112204.pdf, compares the changes in vocabulary between IDEA and IDEIA 2004.

(Blue – old vocabulary) (Red – new vocabulary)

IDEA ’97 – P.L. 105-17

 

H.R. 1350 as Passed by Congress

(30) Transition services. The term ‘transition services’ means a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that—

(A) is designed within an outcome -oriented process, which promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training , integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;

(B) is based upon the individual student's needs, taking into account the student's (added strengths) preferences and interests; and

(C) includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

 

(34) TRANSITION SERVICES.--The term `transition services' means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that--

(A) is designed to be within a results -oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child's movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational education , integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;

(B) is based on the individual child's needs, taking into account the child's strengths , preferences, and interests; and

(C) includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

(35) UNIVERSAL DESIGN.--The term `universal design' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3002).

(36) WARD OF THE STATE.--

(A) IN GENERAL.--The term `ward of the State' means a child who, as determined by the State where the child resides, is a foster child, is a ward of the State, or is in the custody of a public child welfare agency.

(B) EXCEPTION.--The term does not include a foster child who has a foster parent who meets the definition of a parent in paragraph (23).

SEC. 603. OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.--There shall be, within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in the Department of Education, an Office of Special Education Programs, which shall be the principal agency in the Department for administering and carrying out this title and other programs and activities concerning the education of children with disabilities.

(b) DIRECTOR.--The Office established under subsection (a) shall be headed by a Director who shall be selected by the Secretary and shall report directly to the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.


Mary Anne Nielsen, the Diagnostic Center North’s (DCN) director, shared a new reference web page that includes several links that provide more information between IDEA and its 2004 reauthorization. She says “A reference web page for the re-authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/lr/ideareathztn.asp, was created with links to some important research and training references and resources on the new law. The IDEA is the primary federal program that authorizes state and local aid for special education and related services for children with disabilities”. Be sure to link to sites listed in the resource for additional information, i.e., CEC, No Child Left Behind Guide, and other question and answer sites.

Regarding the second part of this question, I have addressed resources that include best practices in a previous Ask a Specialist. Go to http://www.askaspecialist.ca.gov/archives/2005/transition/Mar_2005.htm.

Now, for your last question. Yes, we still provide trainings on Transition topics. Ms. Nielsen is now taking requests for 2005-05 trainings, so you need to contact her if you have a specific interest. Go to:
http://www.dcn-cde.ca.gov/Trainings/Text/DCNINFO.htm

Hope this information is helpful.

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