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Overview

This training module is designed to provide useful examples of compliant practices in several major areas under IDEA 2004 and WAC 392-172A.

The areas included in this module are those that, based on program review (monitoring) results, continue to present challenges to special education professionals in our state.

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Module Components

Module Overview and Instructions for Use

Power Point with presenter notes – including a review of the new WACs related to each topic and practical guidance on implementation, including compliant and non-compliant examples in many of the areas.

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Module Components (continued)

Twelve sample Evaluations and IEPs collected during monitoring visits in 2005-06 and 2006-07 that demonstrate compliance and non-compliance in the identified areas.

Analysis of Samples – Detailed descriptions for each of the 12 samples provided.

A Module Index, by specific topic, for cross referencing the power point and the samples to assist with easy access of information.

Evaluation and IEP review forms that could be used by staff when reviewing evaluations,

reevaluations, and IEPs for compliance.

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Historical Compliance Rates

% of Compliant Files in the Identified Areas

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Historical Compliance Rates (cont.)

% of Compliant Files in the Identified Areas

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This module will focus primarily on those areas that present the greatest challenges to our state in meeting requirements under the provisions of IDEA:

Secondary transition (currently 67% non-compliant)

Measurable annual goals (currently 45% non-compliant)

Present levels (currently 34% non-compliant)

IEP summary of services (currently 32% non-compliant)

The module will also briefly address evaluation sufficiency, evaluation and IEP consistency, and the provision of specially designed instruction and related services, but these will not be a major focus.

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Evaluations and Reevaluations - ConsentWAC 392-172A-03000

Written parental consent is required before conducting an initial evaluation or when conducting additional assessments as part of a reevaluation.

If parent refuses consent for initial evaluation, or reevaluation, the district may pursue through mediation or due process.

The district may proceed with a reevaluation if the parent fails to respond to the district’s request for consent.

Note: Districts may not pursue mediation or due process to override a parent’s refusal to consent to initial services.

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Evaluations and ReevaluationsWAC 392-172A-01035(1) and -03035

Evaluations and Reevaluations must document eligibility, including:

The presence of a disability in one of the identified disability categories;

the adverse educational impact of that disability; and

the student’s need for specially designed instruction.

Must also provide information that will assist the IEP team in developing the IEP, including information regarding the student’s ability to be involved and progress in general education curriculum.

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Evaluation and IEP ConsistencyWAC 392-172A-03035 and -03110

The evaluation report must include “the recommended special education and related services needed by the student” and “other information… needed to develop an IEP”.

The IEP team must consider “the results of the initial or most recent evaluation of the student”.

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When Reevaluations are NeededWAC 392-172A-03015 and -03025

-03015 = a reevaluation must be conducted when the district determines that the educational and related services needs, including improved academic achievement and functional performance, of the student warrant a reevaluation.

-03025 = a reevaluation must determine whether the student continues to meet eligibility, and whether… any additions or modifications to the special education and related services are needed to enable the student to meet the measurable annual goals set out in the IEP.

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When Reevaluations are Needed (cont.) WAC 392-172A-03030

A reevaluation should be conducted prior to making significant changes in the student’s program/services (placement).

A reevaluation is necessary prior to determining that a student is no longer eligible for special education services.

A reevaluation is not necessary before a student graduates from high school with a regular diploma or exceeds age eligibility.

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Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)WAC 392-172A-01175(3)(c)

SDI is defined as organized and planned instructional activities that adapt, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible student, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs of the student; and

includes instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and other settings, and in physical education.

It does not include individual accommodations within general education.

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SDI – Provider RequirementsWAC 392-172A-02090(1)(g)

Specially designed instruction must be provided by appropriately qualified staff; or designed, supervised, monitored, and evaluated by special education certificated staff and delivered by another individual (i.e. – general education teacher or trained classified staff).

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Specially Designed Instruction

Accommodations

Science text is highlighted for the student.

Student given extra time to complete assignment.

SDI

Student is provided direct instruction in reading texts for information.

Student is taught vocabulary strategies using content texts.

SDI versus Accommodations – Examples

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Accommodations

In sophomore literature, a peer reads the story to the student.

The student is allowed to turn in an abbreviated assignment.

The student may address the literary concepts orally instead of in writing.

SDI

The student is provided direct, explicit reading instruction using adapted materials for the same piece of literature that others are reading.

SDI versus Accommodations – Examples (continued)

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Accommodations

Student is given 3 opportunities prior to removal from class due to behavior.

Student is given the choice of moving to a quiet, non-threatening, non-stimulating area to regain control when upset.

Student is given tokens for good behavior, which he/she may use for classroom rewards.

SDI versus Accommodations – Examples(continued)

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Present Levels WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(a)

The IEP must include “a statement of the student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, including how the student’s disability affects the student’s involvement and progress in the general education curriculum”.

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Present Levels – Compliant Examples (Academic)

“According to curriculum-based assessment results, Sue is working at the 4.2 grade level for reading. While her fluency skills are strong, comprehension remains her primary challenge, which greatly impacts her ability to participate in general education reading assignments.”

“Sue can read 25 correct words per minute on a 7th grade curriculum-based prompt. She needs to continue to work on word attack skills, fluency, and comprehension strategies. She needs more explicit instruction than her peers.”

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Present Levels – Compliant Examples (Academic)

“Sue wrote 78 words in correct word sequence on (date). She can write simple sentences in isolation, but needs to continue to work on grammar and vocabulary. She will need individualized instruction in these areas in order to be successful in the general education classroom.”

“Bob is able to complete single-digit multiplication problems with 70% accuracy and simple division problems with 60% accuracy. This is well-below his age-level peers, and he needs small group instruction in this area.”

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Present Levels – Compliant Examples (Non-Academic)

“Bob is able to produce the /r/ sound correctly in isolation with 90% accuracy. He still has challenges with producing the /r/ sound in words and conversational speech, which impacts his interactions with peers in the regular classroom.”

“Based on general education teacher reports, Sue is 5 years below grade expectations in the area of self-help skills. She is able to follow the steps of a recipe correctly 4 out of 5 times with staff assistance. She needs to work on increasing her independence in this skill.”

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Present Levels – Non-Compliant Examples

“Based on the Woodcock Johnson, Sue is below grade level in reading and math. Her comprehension skills are weak and she struggles with double-digit multiplication.”

“Based on the results of last year’s 3-year re- evaluation, Bob is at a mid-third grade level in writing.”

“Bob continues to have challenges with his behavior. Some of the behaviors impeding him in the general education classroom include talking out, not waiting his turn, inappropriate language, and poor peer interactions.”

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Present Levels – Non-Compliant Examples

“Sue is working well below expected levels in the area of daily living skills. She is unable to dress or toilet herself without assistance and only occasionally greets those familiar to her.”

“According to therapy notes, Bob’s articulation skills are weak. He has trouble with the following sounds - /r/, /sh/, and /th/. He continues to need speech therapy to assist with the production of these sounds.”

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Measurable Annual GoalsWAC 392-172A-03090(1)(b)

The IEP must include “a statement of measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals designed to” meet the student’s educational needs to enable the student to be involved in and make progress in the general education curriculum.

Benchmarks and short-term objectives are now only required for students who will be taking alternate assessments aligned to alternate achievement standards (the WAAS portfolio).

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Measurable Annual GoalsWAC 392-172A-03090(1)(b)

In order to be measurable, the goal statement should include the following:

a baseline (“from”),

a target (“to”),

and a unit of measure.

It is acceptable for the baseline to be indicated in the present levels section of the IEP, as long as it is in the same unit of measure as the target.

Examples of compliant and non-compliant academic and functional goals collected from the IEPs monitored in 2005-06 and 2006-07 are found on the following slides.

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Compliant Goals – Reading

“Bob will read 2nd grade level words in isolation, phrases, and sentences with 80% accuracy, improving reading skills from a SWB of 150 words to a SWB of 250 words as measured by teacher data.”

“When given a beginning 2nd grade level passage, Bob will fluently read the passage and answer comprehension questions with 90% accuracy by (date).” (Note: Present levels indicated student was currently at a beginning 1st grade level with 70% comprehension).

“Sue will increase her reading comprehension skills and improve her RIT scores from 212 to 223 by (date).”

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See also IEP samples D, J, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Reading (cont.)

“Bob will improve his oral reading fluency from 80 correct words per minute at the 3rd grade level, to 100 correct words per minute at the 4th grade level as measured by teacher-made assessment.”

“Sue will increase her basic reading skills from a mid-4th grade level to a mid-5th grade level as measured by curriculum-based assessments.”

“When given 4-word sentences, Bob will choose the corresponding photo, improving from 50% of trials to 80% or more of trials as measured by team-collected data sheets.”

Non-Compliant Goals – Reading

“Sue will improve reading skills by (date) as measured by the following objectives.”

“Sue will participate in activities involving reading for a variety of purposes (EALR 3.1) from 40% participation to 70% participation with 7 of 10 trials at 70% accuracy by (date).”

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See also IEP samples E, G, and K. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Written Language

“Bob will improve his writing skills from a simple rough draft scored at a 1 out of 4 to use of the 5-step writing process with a score of 3 or greater as measured by the district writing rubric.”

“Sue will improve her writing skills from writing 3 of 52 upper/lower case letters to 40 of 52 letters in correct formation by (date) as measured by teacher-developed assessment.”

“Bob will improve his written language skills from a 3rd grade level to a 4th grade level as measured by standardized assessment.”

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See also IEP samples C, D, F, G, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Written Language (cont.)

“When given a paragraph with misspelled words and incorrect conventions, Sue will improve her editing skills form 60% correct to 80% correct as measured by teacher-created rubric.”

“Bob will increase his writing skills to a standard score of 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 4 on the 6-traits of writing rubric by (date).” (Note: Present levels indicated student was currently writing with an average score of 2 on the rubric).

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See also IEP samples C, D, F, G, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Non-Compliant Goals – Written Language

“Sue will write a 5 paragraph story, which includes the following: prewrite, rough draft, revising, editing, and final copy with no assistance on 3 of 3 trials.” (Note: Present levels indicated student was currently at a beginning 3rd grade level in written language).

“In accordance with the EALRs of WA state, Bob will continue to demonstrate an ability to write clearly and effectively in a variety of settings as measured by curriculum-based assessments by (date).”

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See also IEP samples E, I, J, and K. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Math (Calculation)

“Sue will improve number sense/counting skills from identifying/representing numbers between 1-14 with 90% accuracy to numbers 1-30 with 90% accuracy as measured by teacher data collection.”

“When given 50 addition problems and 3 minutes, Bob will improve from 21 of 50 correct to 50 out of 50 correct as measured by completion of daily math assignments.”

“Sue will be able to count to 100 with 90% accuracy on 4 of 5 trials by (date).” (Note: Present levels indicated student was currently at able to count to 20 with 100% accuracy).

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See also IEP samples C, D, F, J, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Math (Reasoning)

“When given 20 story problems at the 4th grade level, Sue will improve her ability to define the problems from 5 out of 20 to 19 out of 20 correct as measured by teacher designed assessment.”

“When given multiplication/division story problems, Bob will improve accuracy from 5 of 10 correct on 4 of 5 trials to 9 of 10 correct on 4 of 5 trials as measured by curriculum-based assessment.”

“Bob will improve his math reasoning skills from a 6.2 to a 7.5 grade level by (date) as measured by the Woodcock Johnson.”

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See also IEP samples C, D, F, J, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Non-Compliant Goals – Math

“Sue will increase her addition, subtraction, and multiplication skills as measured by teacher data by (date).”

“Bob will use mathematics to define and solve problems with 90% accuracy (EALR 2).”

“Bob will increase his math skills by one year’s growth.” (Note: Present levels indicated student was currently able to complete multiplication problems with 65% accuracy).

“Sue will successfully complete daily math assignments, improving overall math skills from below age level to age appropriate as measured by 80% accuracy on daily work.”

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See also IEP samples G, I, and K. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Behavior/Social Skills

“Bob will increase his use of self-management skills to a level that supports academic & behavioral success as demonstrated by a reduction of discipline referrals from 8 to 4 in a 3-month period by (date).”

“When given a non-academic, unstructured setting, Sue will independently follow established rules, improving compliant behavior from 0 of 5 to 5 of 5 trials over a 1-month period as measured by formal weekly teacher observations.”

“Sue will improve her social skills from a score of 2.5 to a 3.0 as measured by a teacher-developed social skills survey by (date).”

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See also IEP samples H and J. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Behavior/Social Skills (cont.)

“To establish and maintain consistent self-discipline/behavioral skills from a level of a 30-minute supervised lunch to a 30-minute unsupervised lunch and reduce negative behavior incidents with peers from 4 reports per quarter to 1 or less per quarter by (date).”

“Bob will refrain from making sounds or blurting out during small group instruction, improving from 1 per minute to 1 or less in 10 minutes as measured by teacher data.”

“Sue will increase time on task from 20 minutes per hour to 40 or more minutes per hour as measured by formal monthly teacher observations by (date).”

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See also IEP samples H and J. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Behavior/Social Skills (cont.)

“Bob will follow directions the first time they are given in 10 out of 10 opportunities (from current 2 out of 10) by (date) to be measured by teacher data sheets.”

“Sue will contribute a relevant opinion/answer after being recognized by the teacher, improving self-management skills from 0 relevant contributions per week to 5 or more per week as measured by group behavior observation check off sheet.”

“Bob will improve his behavior from requiring staff intervention 5 times per day to 3 times per day or less (on average) by (date).”

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See also IEP samples H and J. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Behavior/Social Skills (cont.)

“When given SDI in compliant behavioral strategies, Sue will improve from responding to an adult request 60% of the time to 90% or more as measured by a daily behavior sheet.”

“Sue will establish a friendship with 1-2 students, improving social skills from no peer interaction to 1 peer interaction (or more) per period as measured by teacher data sheet.”

“When given a stressful/frustrating situation, Bob will improve coping skills from engaging in self-destructive/withdrawn behavior in 4/4 trials to 0/4 trials as measured by teacher data collection by (date).”

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See also IEP samples H and J. Back to Table of Contents

Non-Compliant Goals – Behavior/Social Skills

“Bob will increase his behavioral/classroom skills from an 80% success rate to 85% success rate by (date) and will be measured by classroom assessment.”

“Sue will practice basic social skills with both adults and peers on a daily basis as measured and recorded over time.”

“Bob will be able to interact with peers appropriately.”

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See also IEP samples A, F, and I. Back to Table of Contents

Non-Compliant Goals – Behavior/Social Skills (cont.)

“Bob will increase behaviors and social interactions to an appropriate level for his age by (date).”

“Bob will display appropriate classroom and school behaviors with 75% accuracy.”

“Sue will improve her behavior/social interaction from not always displaying appropriate behavior when frustrated to displaying appropriate behavior to enable her to attend mainstream classes by (date).”

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See also IEP samples A, F, and I. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Life/Adaptive/Self-help Skills

“When given a phone number, Bob will call and ask for information, improving phone skills from 0 successful attempts to 3 successful attempts as measured by formal weekly teacher observations.”

“Sue will identify the most economical purchases between 2 similar items, improving money skills from guessing with 10% accuracy to using computational strategies with 90% accuracy by (date).”

“By (date), Bob will make coin exchanges in a variety of ways up to $5 with 90% accuracy.” (Note: Present levels indicated student was currently at able to exchange up to $1 with 80% accuracy).

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See also IEP samples B and J. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Life/Adaptive Skills (cont.)

“Sue will increase her independent adaptive skills from a baseline teacher checklist of 7 of 20 points to 15 of 20 points on 4 of 5 trials by (date).”

“Bob will use pictures to request an item or object, improving from using pictures to make requests on 20% of trials to 70% of trials as measured by teacher data sheets.”

“Bob will improve toileting, clothing management, fasteners, and hand washing skills from needing verbal cues on 100% of the steps to 25% or fewer steps as measured by task-analysis data sheet.”

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See also IEP samples B and J. Back to Table of Contents

Non-Compliant Goals – Life/Adaptive/Self-help Skills

“Sue will increase functional independence by following a personal hygiene routine and manipulating different fasteners with 90% accuracy by (date).”

“Bob will increase his daily living skills as measured by objectives 5.1 through 5.5.”

“Bob will learn his personal information and be able to write it independently by (date).”

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See also IEP samples K and L. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Study/Organization Skills

“Sue will improve work completion from 50% to 80% as measured by turned-in assignments in English and math in teacher grade book.”

“When given a student planner, Bob will write in assignments, improving organization skills from requiring adult prompts on 100% of assignments to 0% adult prompts as measured by teacher reports.”

“Bob will request for accommodations in given assignments in the general education classroom, improving self-advocacy skills from 1 teacher request per quarter to 1 teacher request per week as measured by general education teacher reports.”

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Compliant Goals – Study Skills (cont.)

“Sue will improve work habits as demonstrated by improving from requiring verbal prompts 100% of the time to verbal prompting less than 50% of the time as measured by weekly teacher observations and work participation point sheets.”

Non-Compliant Goals – Study/Organization Skills

“Sue will use organizational strategies to improve her ability to complete and turn in 90% of her assignments on time.”

“Sue will improve her functional school behaviors to a level that allows her to participate in the general education curriculum without special education assistance as measured by teacher reports and data records by (date).”

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Compliant Goals – Speech (Articulation)

“When given opportunity for conversation in a structured setting, Sue will correctly use productions of the /r/ phonemes in syllables, words, and phrases, improving articulation from 20% to 80% as measured by weekly SLP data.”

“Bob will correctly produce the /th/ sound, improving speech intelligibility from not using the sound in conversational speech to using the sound in conversational speech with 90% accuracy over 3 consecutive SLP sessions.”

“Sue will improve her production of the /sh/ sound in isolation from 25% to 90% accuracy.”

“Bob will increase his vocabulary comprehension from a below average level to an average level by (date).”

“Sue will demonstrate understanding of curriculum and language used in a 5th grade classroom.”

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See also IEP sample K. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Motor (Fine)

“Sue will improve her fine motor skills in the areas of tracing, copying, and cutting from the 1st percentile to the 3rd percentile as measured by standardized assessment.”

“Bob will improve fine motor skills from being able to control a pencil in a maze with angled lines within ¼ inch to ⅛ - 1/16 inch as measured by weekly OT data.”

“Bob will improve his fine motor skills from 48 months to 72 months as measured by the Battelle Developmental Inventory by (date).”

“Sue will improve fine motor control by 15% increased speed in hand dexterity tasks as measured by improving from 98 seconds to 83 seconds to place 30 small pegs.”

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See also IEP sample B. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Motor (Gross)

“Bob will improve gross motor skills from hopping forward 1 time on one foot to skipping forward 40 feet as measured by therapist data on 4 of 5 trials.”

“Sue will improve trunk control as demonstrated by going from being able to reach 25% outside base of support to able to reach 75% outside base of support as measured by monthly PT data.”

“To improve Sue’s functional gross motor skills from propelling her wheelchair for 20 feet to propelling it between classrooms independently and from bearing weight at a table for 3 minutes to bearing weight for at least 5 minutes as measured by mastery of the objectives below.”

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See also IEP sample B. Back to Table of Contents

Non-Compliant Goals – Motor (Fine & Gross)

“Bob will demonstrate improved fine/visual motor skills as demonstrated by his ability to manipulate all fasteners (snaps, buttons, and zippers) independently by (date).”

“By (date), when given a classroom writing assignment, Bob will write, improving the legibility of his writing from inconsistent placement of letters and words in relation to the lines to 75% accuracy in letter/word placement as measured by writing samples.”

“Sue will improve gross motor skills to participate fully in PE and maintain a healthy lifestyle as measured by meeting the below objectives by (date).”

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See also IEP sample J. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Transition/Vocational Skills

“Sue will identify jobs of interest from indicating no jobs of interest to listing at least 3 potential jobs of interest as measured by career portfolio.”

“Bob will increase his Work Experience Evaluation Rating from a 27/50 (graded on (date)) to a 40/50 or higher by (date).”

“When given potential careers of interest, Bob will improve his vocational skills from being able to list 0 job-related requirements to listing at least 3 requirements as measured by teacher data collection sheets.”

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See also IEP sample H. Back to Table of Contents

Compliant Goals – Transition (cont.)

“When given contact information for Disability Student Services at the local community college, Bob will find out about accommodations and services, improving knowledge of the available accommodations/services from 0% to 100% as measured by conference and write up of services with special education teacher.”

“Sue will perform a specified job-related task, improving from being able to accomplish the task in 30-45 minutes to performing the job in 20 minutes with 2 or less verbal prompts as measured by data sheets.”

“Bob will increase work-related skills/behaviors from 5 items to 8 items as measured by the Brigance Inventory in the Work Skills and Behaviors section.”

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See also IEP sample H. Back to Table of Contents

Non-Compliant Goals – Transition/Vocational Skills

“Bob will pass classes and earn credit toward graduation.”

“Bob will improve his job-related transitional skills in order to apply for admission into Tri Tech Skills Center.”

“Bob will increase his knowledge of post-secondary education, employment, and community living as meas. by documentation of successful activities by (date).”

“Sue will increase her knowledge of post-secondary placement opportunities as well as research-based careers based on a completed functional vocational assessment.”

“Sue will research possible career interests as measured by completion of an interest inventory by (date).”

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See also IEP samples C, G, I, K, and L. Back to Table of Contents

IEP Summary of ServicesWAC 392-172A-03090(1)(j)

The IEP must include:

“the projected date for the beginning of the services and modifications… and the anticipated frequency, location, and duration of those services and modifications”.

Note: It is very important to delineate the location of each service being provided in order for the district to be able to accurately calculate and report each student’s LRE (Least Restrictive Environment), which examines the extent to which the student is removed from the general education setting in order to receive special education services.

Secondary TransitionWAC 392-172A-03090(1)(j)

effect when the student turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team”, the IEP must include:

“Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training or education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills; and

Transition services, including courses of study needed to assist the student in reaching those goals.”

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Secondary TransitionWAC 392-172A-01190

Transition services should be based on the individual student’s needs, taking into account the student’s strengths, preferences, and interests; and

Include instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, the acquisition of daily living skills and provision of a functional vocational evaluation.

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Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment

Transition assessmentis the ongoing process of collecting data on the individual’s needs, preferences, and interests as they relate to the demands of current and future working, educational, living, and personal and social environments. Assessment data serve as the common thread in the transition process and form the basis for defining goals and services to be included in the IEP.

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Transition Assessment - Sources

Sources of assessment information include, but are not limited to, the following:

Formal interest/aptitude tests and/or surveys,

Quarterly or semester grades throughout high school,

Current psychological assessment data indicating areas of strength and weakness,

College entrance exam scores if applying to 4-year colleges,

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Transition Assessment – Sources (cont.)

Informal interviews with students,

Student completion of interest inventories,

Questionnaires to establish student interests and preferences,

Functional vocational evaluations,

Interviews with the family, and

Student observations.

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Measurable Postsecondary Goals vs. Measurable Annual Goals

Measurable Postsecondary Goals are the student’s identified goals for after the student leaves high school, and must address postsecondary education or training, employment, and (if appropriate) independent living skills.

Measurable Annual Goals are the annual IEP goals, covering what the student will accomplish during that particular school year in each identified area of service.

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Measurable Postsecondary Goals vs. Measurable Annual Goals (cont.)

Measurable Postsecondary Goal example:

“After graduation, Bob will attend a 2-year community college program in order to become an auto mechanic.”

Measurable Annual IEP Goal example:

“Bob will increase his reading skills, using technical manuals relating to auto mechanics, from a 5th grade level to a 6th grade level by (date) as measured by curriculum-based assessments.”

(f) vocational technical school, which is less than a two year program

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Postsecondary Goals – Education/Training Examples

“After graduation, Bob will attend a 2-year culinary arts program.”

“Upon completion of high school, Sue will enroll in courses at a local Community College.”

“Sue will obtain a degree from a 4-year college with a major in Child Development.”

“Bob will complete welding courses at a local Community College to attain an Entry Level Welding Certificate.”

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See also IEP samples C, H, K, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Postsecondary Goals – Education/Training Examples

“Sue will participate in an in-home or center-based program with medical and therapeutic supports.”

“After graduation, Bob will participate in on-the- job training to improve his work skills in his job at a grocery store.”

“After high school, Bob will improve his social, self-advocacy, and self-care skills by attending instruction at a center-based adult program.”

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See also IEP samples C, H, K, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Postsecondary Goals – Education/Training – Non-Examples

“Upon graduation, Sue will continue to learn about life skills and reading.”

“Bob will learn about welding.”

“After leaving high school, Sue wants to take some classes.”

“After high school, Bob will need to continue to work on his self-care skills.”

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See also IEP samples D, F, G, and I. Back to Table of Contents

Employment - Definition

Competitive employment means work-

(i) In the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis in an integrated setting; and

(ii) For which an individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by individuals who are not disabled.

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Employment – Definition (cont.)

Supported employment is competitive work in integrated work settings, consistent with the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of the individuals, for individuals with the most significant disabilities for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred; and who, because of the nature and severity of their disability, need intensive supported employment services.

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Postsecondary Goals – Employment Examples

“After college, Sue will have a career in the field of early childhood education.”

“In the future, Bob will be a self-employed welder.”

“After graduation, Bob will receive job development services from DVR and will participate in technologically supported self-employment or volunteer work within 1 year of graduation.”

“The summer after leaving high school, Sue will obtain a part-time position in a community retail environment.”

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See also IEP samples C, H, K, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Postsecondary Goals – Employment Examples

“After finishing high school Bob will increase his work hours in the business department of a local office supply store, contacting XYZ Adult Agency for employment support services.”

“After graduation, Bob will get a job at a grocery store, where he enjoyed a job shadowing experience during school.”

“Within three months of graduation, Bob will obtain a supported employment position that allows him to work to his maximum stamina and incorporates the use of assistive technology.”

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See also IEP samples C, H, K, and L. Back to Table of Contents

Postsecondary Goals – Employment – Non-Examples

“Bob will attend a job fair on the college campus.”

“Sue hopes to work with young children someday.”

“Bob wants to work as a welder.”

“Upon completion of high school, Sue will apply for services through DVR to support her participation in a vocational center program.”

“Sue will work with DVR services to ensure community employment.”

“Sue will get a job.”

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See also IEP samples D, F, G, and I. Back to Table of Contents

Independent Living Skills - Definition

Independent living skills are “those skills or tasks that contribute to the successful independent functioning of an individual in adulthood” (Cronin, 1996) in the following domains: leisure / recreation, home maintenance and personal care, and community participation.

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Postsecondary Goals – Independent Living Examples

“Upon completion of high school, Sue will utilize public transportation, including the public bus and uptown trolley.”

“Upon completion of high school, Bob will independently prepare for work each day, including dressing, making his bed, making his lunch, and accessing transportation.”

“Upon completion of high school, Sue will play soccer in a recreational soccer league at the YMCA.”

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Postsecondary Goals – Independent Living Examples

“After graduation Sue will live at home and participate to the maximum extent possible in her daily routines (e.g. feeding, dressing, bathing, activating small appliances/media devices, choice making, etc.) and environment through the use of technology.”

“After graduation, Bob will effectively utilize an augmentative communication device at home and in the community that allows familiar and non-familiar individuals to communicate with him regarding needs, wants, and desires.”

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Postsecondary Goals – Indep. Living – Non-Examples

“Sue will learn to use the bus system.”

“Bob enjoys watching DVD’s, looking at books, listening to his IPod, watching his younger sister play video games, sitting with family for meals, and making music on his electronic keyboard.”

“Sue should continue to use her facial expressions as a reliable mode to communicate her preferences as well as practice increasing her communication skills via eye gaze at concrete objects.”

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Postsecondary Goals – Combined Examples

“After graduating from high school, Bob will enroll in a four-year college to obtain his undergraduate degree in history and education, to become a high school social studies teacher.” (Combined education & employment)

“The summer after leaving high school, Sue will independently ride the bus each work day to her job with Marriot Food Services, where she will participate in classes each year, as offered by her employer, to advance industrial kitchen skills.” (Combined – all three areas)

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Postsecondary Goals – Combined – Non-Examples

“Bob will meet the criteria for passing Spanish II, so that he can apply to college where he wants to major in education.”

“Sue wants to get a job in food services and will develop skills to access the county’s public transportation system.”

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Course(s) of Study - Definition

“A multi-year description of coursework to achieve the student’s desired post-school goals, from the student’s current to anticipated exit year.”

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Course(s) of Study – Compliant Examples

The box on the IEP is checked showing that the student will engage in the school district’s standard College Preparatory courses of study during the next 4 years of high school. (Note: This example covers education only, see presenter’s notes for more info.)

Courses are listed identifying what the student will take each year of high school.

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Course(s) of Study – Compliant Examples

“Sue receives specially designed instruction with an alternate curriculum, including instruction focused on self-care and communication skills, and will participate in work experience and vocational elective courses.”

“Bob receives specially designed instruction with an alternate curriculum, including instruction focused career development, functional academics, and community referenced skills that are linked to the state standards for Language Arts, Math, and Science.”

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Course(s) of Study – Non-Compliant Examples

The IEP lists the student’s courses for the current year: English II, Algebra I, Physical Science, Government, and Theatre Arts II.

The box is checked on the IEP indicating that the student is completing the coursework for a standard diploma.

“The student took wood shop, auto body repair, and metal working last year.”

“Bob attends the self-contained classroom for students with developmental disabilities who are older than 18.”

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Secondary Transition Resources

Center for Change in Transition Services:

www.seattleu.edu/ccts/

National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC):

www.nsttac.org

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Contact Information

Questions and comments related to the format, content, or use of this module should be directed to: