The Illinois State Board of Education has a page devoted to Indicator 13 and other Transition resources. From this page: “A compliance indicator that measures the percent of youth with IEPs aged 16 and above with an IEP that includes appropriate measurable postsecondary goals that are annually updated and based upon age appropriate transition assessments, transition services, including courses of study, that will reasonably enable the student to meet those postsecondary goals, and annual IEP goals related to the student’s transition service needs.” https://www.isbe.net/Pages/SPP-APR-Indicator-13.aspx
TOTAL was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education that ran through March of 2007. Since transition is the link from school to adult living for persons with disabilities, it is important that a great deal of thought, research, and planning go into the transition plan and IEP for transition-aged students. The TOTAL Project is a series of modules aimed at helping individuals with disabilities and the families and professionals who support them to develop person-centered transition plans. It also looks at the meaning of, critical importance of, and “how-to’s” for developing a person’s self-determination skills. A person who has developed a sense of self-determination has more control over services and supports they may need or want. An important aspect of TOTAL is helping the person with a disability foster natural supports. By nurturing natural supports, the person with a disability grows within his/her community and invites neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives to assist. Using a person-centered planning process allows the person with a disability to have control over what the support looks like. It is based on four core practices.
Based on an extensive review of current research literature, the four core best practices include:
1. Understanding and Meeting State and Federal Transition Mandates
2. Person-Centered Transition Planning
3. Promoting Student Self Determination
4. Transition as the Centerpiece of the Individualized Education Plan
Though the grant funding for the TOTAL Project is over, the TOTAL modules will remain available on the ISBE website and ISBE continues to support statewide efforts for transition training and technical assistance.
To access the TOTAL modules and other transition resources visit the following page and look under the “Archive” tab: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Special-Education-Indicator-13.aspx
Transition Services
Transition from High School to Adult Services – Main Page
Person Centered Planning
ISBE and TOTAL Project Resources
MAPS & PATHS
Written Transition Plans in the IEP
Transition and DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services – Vocational Rehabilitation
Advocacy Toolbox – Main Page
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