1. High School Transition
A Model for Entering and Leaving
High School
Brittany, Amanda, and Jay
Class Project
SED 622: Transition within Schools
University of Southern Maine
Summer 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012

2. Research
It is important for new freshman to form relationships with
their teachers. However, typically, students would rather be
informed about what to expect in 9th grade from current 9th
grade students (Cushman, 2006).
When it comes to peer mentoring, not only do those students
being mentored benefit socially, but so do the mentors
themselves. Student mentors tend to develop greater social
skills from mentoring younger students (Dopp, 2004).
See Tips for Transitions by the Division of Career
Development and Transition which supports most of our
transition model (Kellens & Morningstar, 2009)
Thursday, July 26, 2012

3. Rationale and Population
Rationale: Transitions are difficult for all students,
but more so for those with special needs. The
rationale for this project is to create a structured
model to best serve parents, students, educators,
and administrators with a seamless process of
transitioning in and out of high school.
Population: High school special education
students whose exceptionalities allow them to be
mostly mainstreamed.
Thursday, July 26, 2012

4. The Model
(Graduation-Hats, 2012)
Thursday, July 26, 2012

5. Transition Coordinator
supervise case managers
provide back up for students who are not
successfully participating in all aspects of the model
career profiles: reality check
complete transition plans w/ student input (week
before IEP meeting)
Vocational Rehabilitation referrals and follow up to
make sure the student and counselor are connected
(Asselin, Todd Allen, & deFur, 1998).
Thursday, July 26, 2012

6. Transitioning into 9th Grade
representation from high school teachers at 8th
grade IEP meetings
April (8th grade): visit High school and ask questions
to panel of current 9th graders
a week after grades close: 8th grade teachers hand
over folders
student and teacher surveys (by June 1st)
work examples
Thursday, July 26, 2012

7. early August: send out guardian information packet
mid August: call home to check schedule and ask if
the guardian or student has any questions
late August: guardian teacher night
first day of school: step up day
meet with the transitions coordinator and discuss
student
survey, disability, and IEP.
first month of school: scaffolding ,teacher check in,
and peer mentors
Thursday, July 26, 2012

8. Maintaining Success
fall of 10th grade: CHOICES Inventory (setting a career goal)
age 16: IEP transition plan
one week before meeting: interview with student about
transition plan
junior year: Vocational Rehab
new students/switching programs-- complete the surveys and
have interviews
monthly student luncheon on accessing services (ex:
transportation, bank accounts, crisis, doctors and dentists)
Thursday, July 26, 2012

9. Transitioning Out of High School
monthly meetings senior year: These are between student and case manager
on progress towards transitioning out of high school according to their
chosen path. This includes what is in their transition plans, and credit
progression. Number of meetings will increase if students are not taking the
steps required.
College:
FAFSA
applications for schools and scholarships
contacting schools and disability offices
assistance with housing and registration for
classes
(College and Graduate, 2012)
Thursday, July 26, 2012

10. Work Force:
certifications and licenses
applications
interview Skills
advocation to an employer
Drop Out:
case manager closure meeting
meet with the principal
meet with guidance:
Adult Ed/GED
(Work Force)
follow up
closure: No matter what the plan/path is, there should be closure meetings in
May for each student.
Thursday, July 26, 2012

11. Recommendations:
A separate transition model should be created for students who
are transitioning into another high school, day treatment center,
or specialized school.
Another transition model should be used for special education
students with higher levels of need.
Guardians who have difficulty making it to meetings and
guardian nights should be contacted regularly through the
transition process.
Come up with a transition plan as early as possible (first high
school IEP) to ensure buy in from stakeholders
Thursday, July 26, 2012

12. Reflection
Schools need to plan REALISTIC transition plans with
students. Who is the person to speak up?
Our schools need to come up with better transition plans.
There needs to be more guidance with transitional skills such
as creating resumes, study skills, organization, etc.
Clear expectations at schools about who does what.
Schools concentrate more on transitioning out of high school
and not on transitioning into high school.
Thursday, July 26, 2012

13. References
Asselin, S.B, Todd-Allen, M., & deFur, S. (1998). Transition coordinators: define yourselves. TEACHING
Exceptional Children, 30(3). Retrieved from ERIC.
College and Graduate. (2012). Retrieved July 26, 2012, from:
http://sodancapassion.blogspot.com/2012/01/college-how-to-stay-on-track-to.html
Cushman, K. (2006). Help us make the 9th grade transition. Educational Leadership. Retrieved from
Academic Search Premier
Dopp, J., & Block,T. (2004. High School peer mentoring that works!. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 37
(1). Retrieved from Academic Search Premier.
Graduation-Hats. (2012). Retrieved July 24, 2012, from: http://www.gandbfoundation.org/
Kellens, R., & Morningstar, M. (2009). Tips for transition. University of Kansas.
Work Force. Retreieved July 26, 2012, from:
http://www.wycokck.org/InternetDept.aspxid=16404&menu_id=1360&banner=15284
Thursday, July 26, 2012