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“Let me tell you the secret that led me to my

goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”

Louis Pasteur

Presented by:

Susan WalterStatewide Transition

ConsultantIllinois State Board of

Educationswalter@isbe.net

618-651-9028

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

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Field, S., Hoffman, A. & Spezia, S. (1998) Self-Determination Strategies for Adolescents in Transition. Austin, TX: PRO-ED, Inc.

Self-determination refers to the natural desire of most people to be in personal control of their own thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

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› Begins shortly after birth and continues throughout life.

› Determined by the skills, beliefs and attitudes, and knowledge as well as opportunities to exercise personal control.

› All persons have the desire and are capable of some degree of self-determination.

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

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The 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) clearly supports students’ independence, self-management, and self-determination.

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Students are team members

Active participation by students

Student strengths, preferences and interests

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

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Self-Determination

Increases motivation

Encourages socially acceptable behavior

Promotes self-awareness

Increases responsibility

Enhances learning

Encourages a sense of personal control 8

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Enhances independence and interdependence

Improves self-esteem

Encourages individuals to create a vision

Enhances quality of life

Enhances inclusion

Promotes self-advocacy

Develops decision-making skills 9

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Yes! › Skills and attitudes that lead to self-determination

can be taught. › Skills to make arrangements in the atmosphere and

environment of the school can be taught too.

Parents, teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists and other service providers all play important roles in developing or inhibiting self-determination during transition.

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Teachers can:› Infuse skills training into their curriculum.› Promote a school and classroom environment that

encourages self-determination. Families can:

› Provide opportunities and support for their adolescents to exercise self-determination.

› Work with the school to encourage curriculum efforts and provide real-life experiences for practicing self-determination.

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other support services staff can:› Support a school climate that promotes self-

determination.› Team with classroom teachers.› Incorporate instruction through their own

departments. Administrators can:

› Establish self-determination as an important element of the school climate.

› Support teachers through in-service opportunities .12

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Characteristics of environments that support and encourage self-determination include:› Availability of self-determined role models› Curriculum variables› Opportunities for choice› Patterns of response to student behaviors› Availability of student supports

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

14Retrieved from http://www.pbisillinois.org/, 9/21/2009. Illinois PBIS Network.

Supporting Student Self-Determination in an RtI World

Self-Determination Skill Building

IEP Transition Plan

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James Baldwin

“Nobody Knows My Name” (1961)

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Teaching students about:› laws and rights› responsibilities

Creating awareness of:› the system and its resources› one’s needs, preferences and interests

16Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“It’s My Life”

› Student workbook – where I’m going and how I’m going to get there

› Building self-confidence, internal locus of control and determination

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Things that work for me› Things I want to spend more time doing› Things that make me happy› Things I like

Things that don’t work for me› Things I want to avoid› Things that make me mad› Things I don’t like

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

What I want to do when I finish high school

› Living

› Working

› Continuing education

› Having fun

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

What I want to do in school this year

› Classes

› Instruction

› Community experience

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Objectives I want to accomplish in school this year

› Employment

› Adult living

› Daily living

› Vocational abilities

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

What I need to be more successful in school this year

› Teachers

› Tests

› Family

› Other things

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

People I want to invite to participate in my IEP/ transition planning meeting

› Family

› School people

› Agency people

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

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Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

25Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

Greeting and Purpose Statement Introductions Review of Performance Team Input Future Goals (for adult life) Annual Goals Supports Needed Goals Summary

Review and Finalize Program

Conclude Meeting26Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“Welcome to my meeting. Today we are going to plan for my program for the next year.”

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Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“My name is ________________ and I am a student at ________________.

“I’d like to introduce ____________.” OR

“Please introduce yourselves.”

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Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“Things that have worked well for me this year are _____________________

_____________________________________ ____________________________________.”

“Things that haven’t work very well for me are __________________________

________________________________ ______________________________.” 29

Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“Does anyone want to comment on how my school program has been going?”

-- NOTE TO STUDENT:

Ask questions if you don’t understand

something that is said.

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Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“When I finish high school, I want to

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________.”

“Any questions or comments?”31

Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“This year in school I want to _________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________.”

“Any questions or comments?”32

Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“For me to be successful in school this year

I need _________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________.”

“Any questions or comments?” 33

Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“In summary, my future plans are to ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.”“For me to make progress toward these goals, I will do these things this year __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.”

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Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“The things that need to be in my program

to help me succeed are _______________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________.”

“Does anyone have anything they want to say about my program?”

NOTE TO STUDENT: Discuss differences and agree on final program. 35

Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“Thank you all for coming to my meeting.”

“This year I am going to work hard to

accomplish my goals.”

“I appreciate your help!”

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Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

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Certificate of Completionis hereby granted to:

_____________________________

to certify successful training

in Self-Directed IEP Transition Planning ___________________________________

( Name, Title. Date)

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

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Curriculum Resources

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.