Download Powerpoint - IDEA Partnership

Self-determination and
Youth Investment
Pathway to Success for all Students
including Those with Disabilities
November 2011
IDEA Partnership
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The IDEA Partnership acknowledges the contributions of crossstakeholders, including persons representing,
 Teachers,
 General Education Administrators,
 Special Education Administrators,
 Related Service Personnel,
 Families and youth,,
 Higher education , and
 Technical Assistance Providers
-andis deeply grateful to Project Unify of the Kennedy Foundation /Special
Olympics for its leadership and facilitation of this collaborative effort.
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Agenda

Definition

Rationale

Key elements

Implementation issues
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Additional Resources
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Cradle to College and/or Career…

Aligns services


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Supports success

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Public and private
School and community
Academic
Social
Occupational
Benefits child/young adult and community
Why





/
Remain in school


to
Good attendance
Active learning
High School
Graduation
Go on to college or advanced training
Get and keep a job
Live independently
Give back to the community
?
Why





/
Remain in school


to
Good attendance
Active learning
High School
Graduation
Go on to college or advanced training
Get and keep a job
Live independently
Give back to the community
?
Students must demonstrate…
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Academics
Choice-making
Decision-making
Problem-solving
Goal-setting
Self-awareness
Self-advocacy and leadership
Dropping out…

7,000 leave school
each day
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Economic impact
(2009 dropouts)


At this rate: 13 million
will leave school in
the next decade
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IDEA Partnership
Each costs the nation
over $260,000 over
his/her lifetime
If all had graduated,
benefit of $335 billion
to nation’s economy
over their lifetimes
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Most likely to drop out…
Academic performance
 Low grades
 Low test scores
 F’s in English
and Math
 Few credits
 Retention
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Educational engagement
 Low engagement
 High absenteeism
 Poor school behavior
 Low extracurricular
participation
 Poor relationships with
teachers and peers
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Expected outcomes…

Remain in school


Good attendance
Active learning
High School Graduation

Go on to college or advanced training

Obtain and keep a job

Live independently

Give back to the community
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Key elements…

Collaboration




School
Family
Agencies
Clear communication


Culture and language
Use of technology
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Support providers…

Schools


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Title I, IDEA, Gifted, etc.
Breakfast and lunch programs
Families
Agency after-school programs
School-based mental health
Medical health
Etc.
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High School

Last stepping stone into post-secondary
education, employment, and adulthood

Preparation for systems of the future

Focus on transferable skills
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Key elements… high school

Academic rigor

Curricular integration / transition services


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Self-advocacy
Career shadowing and work opportunities
Post-secondary education options
Mentoring and coaching
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Support providers…
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Schools
Families
Mentor programs / job-shadowing programs
Higher Education
Vocational Rehabilitation
Juvenile Justice / Probation
Etc.
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Key elements… post-secondary
& employment

Self-determination

Empowerment

Self-advocacy

Mentoring and coaching

Social networks

Mental health services
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Support providers…

Colleges and universities

Technical schools
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Internships

Military

Community agencies and work places
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Critical Skills Frequently
Overlooked
 Self-determination
 Empowerment
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Self-determination is…


a concept reflecting the belief that all
individuals have the right to direct their own
lives.
Students who have self-determination skills
have a stronger chance of being successful
in making the transition to adulthood,
including employment and independence
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Self-Determination Is Learned…
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through real-world experience,
which inherently involves taking risks,
making mistakes,
reflecting on outcomes
testing his or her strengths and limitations
identifying appropriate short- and long-term
goals.
and open, supportive acknowledgement and
discussion of their disability.
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Tips for Promoting Self-Determination
in Youth with Disabilities

Promote Choice Making

Encourage Exploration of Possibilities
Promote Reasonable Risk Taking
Encourage Problem Solving
Promote Self Advocacy
Facilitate Development of Self-Esteem
Develop Goal Setting and Planning
Help Youth Understand Their Disabilities
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Empowerment is…
a process which helps people
gain power. People who are
empowered have the knowledge
and ability to lead.
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What does it mean to be
empowered?
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Taking responsibility for your choices and
decisions
Working toward your goals
Having confidence and pride in your
abilities
Living with enthusiasm and passion
Knowing how your actions affect others
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Empowerment includes having…

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access to information
decision-making power
a range of options from which to make
choices
a positive outlook on being able to make
change
the ability to increase one’s self image and
overcome stereotypes of discrimination.
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When are you NOT empowered?

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When you do whatever you want whenever
you want and ignore expectations and rules
When you bypass everyone who will say “no”
so you can get your own way
When you only do the easy
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Being successful in making
the transition to adulthood,
including employment and
independence requires
systems change.
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All levels in the process must
include…

Collaboration

Coordination

Continuity
Clearly articulated
from level to level
…to create seamless
systems of service
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Systems that…
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Value, honor and support all youth
Coordinate agency resources
Support smooth transitions from year to year,
developmental level to developmental level
Emphasize child/youth growth in

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Academics
Social/emotional well being
Health and fitness
Civic responsibility
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Systems that focus on…
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Balance
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Academic & social/emotional skills
Physical & mental health
Family life and building independence
Intentional transition plans from the beginning
Collaboration

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Families, schools, agencies, community services
Shared resources & responsibility
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Your involvement is key to the
success of all our children and
young adults!
Additional resources

The IDEA Partnership
www.ideapartnership.org

Project Unify of the Kennedy Foundation /Special
Olympics www.specialolympics.org/projectunify.aspx

Breaking Ranks
http://www.nassp.org/tabid/3162/default.aspx

Breaking Ranks in the Middle School
http://www.nassp.org/Portals/0/Content/53495.pdf

Ready by 21, Forum for Youth Investment
http://www.forumfyi.org/readyby21
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Reflections!
?
November 2011
Questions?
.
.
Discussion.
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