doing the right thing in clinton, arkansas! capacity building for secondary transition at the local...

Doing the Right Thing in Clinton, Arkansas!

Capacity Building for Secondary Transition at the Local Level

Deborah Swink

Special Education Director

Clinton School District


• Located in rural North Central Arkansas• ADM of 1350 in Grades K- 12• Child Count of 204 (approximately 15%)• Recent economic down turn in community

– Loss of Pilgrim’s Pride Chicken Plant– F-4 Tornado in 2008 devastated area

• 70% free & reduced lunch• 94.9 % attendance rate

Clinton JR High/High School

• October 1, 2009 enrollment: 636 (7-12)• 100% graduation rate (students with

disabilities (2007-08) Met Target on APR• 6.86% drop-out rate (2007-08) Did Not Meet

State target of 4.28% on APR• Data shows significant difference in students

who scored proficient in Math & Literacy when comparing combined population with subgroups

Why Build Capacity?

• Have identified significant barriers to effective transition planning & linkages:– Rural community necessitates increased

communication among school, students, and parents regarding post-school options

– Limited local resources require a coordinated effort among school & community/State agencies

– Focus on more rigorous academic curricula in special education settings results in need for more supports around the transition process

Capacity: Where to Begin

• Administrative Responsibility– Garner support at all levels: building, district,

school board, community– Communicate effectively: do your homework!

Support network at every level needs to clearly understand the need for capacity building

– Plan for funding. How will you support your plan to build capacity? How will you sustain it for the future? Is there a way to blend school & community/agency resources?

Our Priorities

• Implementation of Check & Connect Program• Focus on meaningful transition assessments• Support of special education staff members• Formation of student leadership teams• Planning a local career fest and agency fair

Priority 1: Check & Connect

• Taxonomy area: Transition Education and Services Focus- Student Focused Planning

• Capacity Building Strategy: Training and Collaboration to expand Check and Connect program into schools

• Goal: To implement Check & Connect program to improve student academic performance, school attendance and ultimately post school outcomes

Check & Connect

Activities during 2009-2010 school year:• Employed Drop-out Prevention Specialist• Trained local and State personnel• Set protocol for program: letters to parents,

contracts with students, data collection• Began implementation of program for all 9th

graders and students w/disabilities in 9- 12• Preliminary evaluation of program to begin

Expected Outcomes

• Decrease in drop-out rate• Increase in attendance• Improvement in grades and benchmark tests• Increase in credit accrual• Better communication between home and

school• Increase in student motivation• Better problem-solving strategies

Priority 2: Transition Assessments


• Capacity Building Strategy: Employed part time counselor to coordinate transition assessment process

• Goal: Collect age-appropriate transition assessment information (academic, cognitive, career/occupational, adaptive behavior)

Transition Assessments

Activities during 2009-2010 school year:• Hired part time local transition coordinator• Surveyed special education staff members• Updated library of transition materials and

assessments• Began administration of assessments• Coordinated with ATRS counselor for

student supports• On-site visits to potential colleges/schools

Priority 3: Support of Staff Members

Training and Support Opportunities• Local annual transition retreat in December• Access to State consultant & local transition

coordinator (onsite)• Building a network of supports: sbmh

services, agency partnerships, access to State resources and events

• Access to professional development related to transition

Training Opportunities

• Transitions Class: Getting Started Training • Person Centered Planning • Cadre Meetings • College Bound Arkansas • Local Transition Retreat• Regional Agency Fests

Priority 4: Student Leadership Teams


• Capacity Building Strategy: Increase student participation and leadership skills

• Goal: To establish a Youth Leadership Team to build student self advocacy skills and disability awareness

Student Leadership Teams

Capacity Building Activities• Recruited and trained adult sponsor• Recruited and trained students for

participation for Leadership Team– 16 students in Grades 9-12– Named group L.A.W. (Leaders at Work)– Elected officers– Meet during lunch/electives

Expected Outcomes

Student Leadership Teams:• Increased student self-advocacy skills• Increased Disability Awareness• Presentation at Transition Summit• Replication of student teams across the state

Priority 5: Local Career Fair


• Capacity Building Strategy: Collaboration among three school districts in Van Buren County to hold regional career fair and agency fest

• Goal: to provide students with information regarding employment skills, career and vocational opportunities, and support services

Career Fair

Capacity Building Activities• Begin planning activities with counselors

from 3 school districts in Van Buren County• Collaborate with State transition consultant

for planning and implementation of Career fair and agency fest

• Hold 1st annual career fair Spring 2011

Our Forms & Letters….

Check & Connect

Agreement For Success Contract

Student Name___________________ Student ID#______________

Grade________________________ Date_____________________

• I will have no unexcused absences• I will be in class on time, no tardies• I will do my work as assigned by my teachers• I will participate positively in school and take responsibility for my actions• I will stay out of ISS and OSS• I will not get into trouble of any kind

If I meet all the above conditions there will be a reward at the end of each 9 weeks and if I stay out of trouble, there will be a big reward at the end of school.

End of Year Reward___________________________________________

• I understand that Mr. Smith will provide me with support and assistance as I need it and that my parents will be

contacted and made aware of this agreement.• I understand that if I fail to meet any of the above conditions, my parents will be called in for a meeting and I

will not get the End of Year Reward.

__________________________________ _________

Students Signature Date

_________________________________ ___________

Parent Signature Date

________________________________ ____________

Check & Connect Signature Date

CHECK & CONNECT

683 POPLAR ST.

CLINTON, AR 72031

OCTOBER 9TH, 2009

Dear Parents,

My name is David Smith and I work with a new program called Check & Connect. Check & Connect is a program that will help you child have good school year, and be more successful in school. The program encourages students to use problem solving strategies, complete schoolwork, and participate in school activities. Check and Connect is open to any 9th-12th grade student who has excessive absenteeism, failing any class, who is having trouble with their behavior, or just needs a little extra push.

We feel that the Check & Connect Support Program will make an excellent contribution to the quality of education in our school.

I am sending you this permission slip so you can go ahead and sign your child up if you wish. Thank you for your cooperation and time. If you have any questions call me at 501-253-2129 or email me a [email protected].

Thank you,

David Smithth

Check & Connect

Dropout Prevention

mailto:[email protected]

Dear Special Ed. Teachers,

This is a list of guide lines for students that are considered a high risk of dropping out of school. If you have any students 9th- 12th that fit one or more of these guide lines please fill out a referral for the Check & Connect program.

Thank you,

David Smith

Check & Connect Dropout Prevention

• 5 or more tardies per month• Skipping- 3 or more times per month• Behavior referrals- 3 or more per month• Detention-4 or more times per month• ISS- 4 or more times per month• OSS- 2 or more times per month• Failing 2 or more subjects• Behind in credits

Questions? You Can Contact Me At……

Deb Swink


683 Poplar St

Clinton, AR 72031

Ph: 501.745.6058 Fax: 501.745.6611

[email protected]

doing the right thing in clinton, arkansas! capacity building for secondary transition at the local...

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