Westport Public Schools

Special Education Transition Process

November 29, 2006

Presenters

Cynthia Gilchrest – Director of Pupil Services

Robin Marino –Coordinator Preschool

Barbara Beaman-Assistant Principal, SES

Denise Emmerthal – Assistant Principal, BMS

Lorraine DiNapoli –Coordinator, Special Ed. HS

Peggy Bud- Coordinator Private school Special Services

Transition ProcessAll levels

What to expect….

Transitions can produce some level of stress for the student and his family

At each transition level, all parents (whether regular or special education) are participating in the transition process.

Therefore the special education process is integrated into the regular education transition process to make it as seamless as possible, yet comprehensive.

GOAL

To have a successful transition for the student

AND

To provide the parents with the information they need

Birth to Three

Process

Referral is made to the Westport Public Schools at least 90 days prior to the child’s 3rd birthday

PPT is for Birth-3 Transition and Pre-evaluation If indicated, the PPT team designs an evaluation

to determine eligibilityOR

If indicated, the PPT team determines that the child no longer requires the PPT process to continue

Process

Prior to the child’s 3rd birthday Convene a PPT

To review the results of the evaluation To determine eligibility for services

If eligible for services, IEP would be developed

Services would begin on child’s 3rd birthday

Preschool-Kindergarten

Process

November Notify Vice Principals in each building

Identify those IEP’d students who will turn 5 by December 31st of the following school year

February-March Staff from receiving elementary school observes

the students in the preschool Following observations, preschool staff and

elementary school staff meet to discuss student’s needs and how they can be met in the K setting

Process

Preschool staff discusses transition process with parents

April-May A transition PPT is held at the receiving school

with representatives from both staffs and parents Develop the IEP for the up coming school year

Preschool teachers complete the Pre-K profiles and send to building principals

Elementary to Middle School

Process

• November Notify Vice Principals

Identify IEP’d students who are transitioning from 5-6th grade the following year

• January Staff observes the students in the Elementary School on an

as-needed-basis Staff observes middle school classes on an as-needed-basis Middle School staff and Elementary school staff meet to

discuss the students’ needs and how they can be met in Middle School setting

Elementary staff meets with Middle School staff to gain an understanding of the Middle School curriculum

Process

• Elementary staff discusses the transition process with parents

• Middle School Orientation It is important for all parents to attend

Process

May Transition PPTs are held at the receiving school

with representatives from both staffs and parents involved in developing the IEP for the up coming school year.

Middle School to High School

Process

November Notify High School Special Education Coordinator

Identify students who will be transitioning to 9th grade the following school year

January Coordinator

Meets with Vice Principals and some middle school staff to review students’ profiles, current programs, and projected special education and related service needs.

Process

● January to February HS staff observes students on an as needed basis Middle School staff observes selected classes on an as-needed-basis Discussions regarding projected needs are held

March-April Parent meeting is held

To explain special education at the High School and the transition process

Transition PPTs held

June Students visit HS on an as needed bases.

Transitions To and From Outplacements

Out- of- District Placements

Out-of District Coordinator Facilitates the transition process

Participates in the PPTs Facilitates the in-take process Is the link between the parents, the out-placement, and

the district

The process begins when a Planning and Placement Team recommends an out-of-district placement

Transitions From Out-of District Placement

The PPT makes the final determination regarding a student’s transition back to the district

Out-of-District Coordinator Involves the home school is the entire transition process

Home school staff observes student in current placement Home school staff participates in the PPT

● Transitions occur Elementary and middle school levels

When appropriate during the school year High School level

At the beginning of the school year or the beginning of a semester For summer session, at any level, if determined appropriate by the PPT

Post High School Transitions

College Vocational programs World of Work Adult Service Providers

Questions