Table of Contents

Overview and History

2

Purpose and Instructions

3

Middle School Portfolio Activities

4

9th Grade Portfolio Activities

5

10th Grade Portfolio Activities

6

11th Grade Portfolio Activities

8

12th Grade Portfolio Activities

10

Notes

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Overview and History The Shenandoah Valley Regional Program has a long history of providing quality staff development for transition services. Following the reauthorization of IDEA in 1997, school divisions began to focus on more effective transition services. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) identified grant funds to initiate a pilot transition project and the Shenandoah Valley Regional Program was chosen as a site for the project. The Shenandoah Valley Regional Program, in partnership with its member school divisions (Augusta, Harrisonburg, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Staunton), identified the following goals:        

Increase or enhance transition services in the schools through transition teams and regional collaboration Increase school practitioner skills through structured training Establish or improve interagency cooperation and business partnerships Expand community-based work sites and decrease transition service disparity among high schools Develop and implement individual needs assessment for high schools that reflect those factors associated with successful transition services Identify service needs per school division that can be provided in a regional format Explore regional resources Develop a model process for replication in other localities

With the support of VDOE staff and consultants, the local special education administrators developed the Special Education Transition Needs Assessment. One high school in each of the six school divisions was selected to establish a school-based Transition Partnership Team (TPT) and to conduct a building-level needs assessment. Initially each team was assigned a facilitator from the VDOE or Training and Technical Assistance Centers (T/TAC) to assist the teams in the self-assessment process. Subsequently, school-based teams met on a regular basis to complete the needs assessment, develop goals and objectives, and plan activities. The TPT in Rockingham County Public Schools identified the need for a tool to guide teachers in documenting transition activities completed by the students and staff. The TPT determined a portfolio design to be the most effective and efficient tool to meet the needs of the school divisions, teachers and most importantly, students. Members of the TPTs from the six school divisions then convened on a regular basis to refine the transition portfolio and to develop a transition resource guide. These materials were designed to serve as a model to assist school staff in developing and implementing transition services for students with disabilities.

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Purpose The Transition Portfolio documents the development of transition activities for middle and secondary students. By utilizing the transition activities in this portfolio, the door of communication between educators and students regarding transition services opens. Educators are able to explain the importance of early transition planning and how these services enable students to be successful adults. With each activity, teachers provide students an opportunity to identify their likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, goals, etc. In turn, this fosters within students a sense of independence and confidence concerning who they are now and helps them develop a plan to become successful adults. In addition, this portfolio provides parents a hands-on example of the transition activities their children have participated in each school year. This is a valuable tool for opening the lines of communication between school and home as well as a method to get meaningful input from parents regarding transition goals for their child. Finally, documentation is being created for students from age 13 (or younger if deemed appropriate) through age 21 to include all of the transition activities the student participated in during middle and secondary school.

Instructions The Transition Portfolio was developed as a resource for teachers to document activities the students complete toward their post-secondary goals. To develop a meaningful transition plan, each portfolio should be individualized with activities that address steps toward the student’s future goals for education, training, employment and community participation.         

For a complete listing of activities and resources please go to http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/RCPS_sped/SVRP/TransitionPortfolio.htm. Students and parents should be involved in the selection of activities. It is expected that students complete more than just the required/suggested activities at each grade level in order to be most effective. The Transition Portfolio is to be used at all IEP meetings and any other meeting where student progress or programming is discussed. Activities may either be completed independently or with support. Activities in bold print are strongly recommended. The portfolio follows the student from school to school. Activities should be built upon one another toward a final product. The students portfolios go with them when they graduate or exit school along with other important documentation.

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Middle School – Begin Activities at Age 13 Years

Employment Date ___/___/___ Computer-Based Career Exploration Date ___/___/___ Mapping Your Future Date ___/___/___ Parent Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Education/Training Date ___/___/___ Academic/Career Plan Date ___/___/___ Communication Style Assessment Date ___/___/___ Diploma Options/Verified Credits Record Review Date ___/___/___ Explore the acceptance requirements for postsecondary schools Date ___/___/___ Learning Styles Inventory Date ___/___/___ Making the Transition from Middle School to High School Date ___/___/___ Visit a Technical Center Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Independent Living/Community Participation Date ___/___/___ A Life for Me Independent Living Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ IEP Meeting – Attendance and Participation Date ___/___/___ It’s All About Me! Self-Advocacy Activity Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

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9th Grade

Employment Date ___/___/___ Basic Job Application (electronic) Date ___/___/___ Career/Academic Plan Date ___/___/___ Career and Independent Living Goals Date ___/___/___ Eight Keys to Employability (Pre-Vocational Checklist) Date ___/___/___ Electronic Career Search Date ___/___/___ Mapping out your career in Virginia Date ___/___/___ Parent Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ PERT Application Date ___/___/___ Workplace Readiness Skills Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Education/Training Date ___/___/___ Accommodations Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Career & Technical Education Career Toolbox Date ___/___/___ Learning Channel Preference Date ___/___/___ Learning Strategies Date ___/___/___ Learning Style Inventory/Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ VARK Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Visit a Technical Center Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Independent Living/Community Participation Date ___/___/___ All About Me - Understanding My Disability Date ___/___/___ Get a Photo Identification Card Date ___/___/___ IEP Meeting – Attendance and Participation Date ___/___/___ Implement a time/money management plan Date ___/___/___ Research eligibility requirements for adult services Date ___/___/___ Transition Life Planning Student Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

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10th Grade

Employment Date ___/___/___ Begin resume development Date ___/___/___ Career and Independent Living Goals (Update) Date ___/___/___ Career Match / Exploration Date ___/___/___ Community Agency Support Discussion Date ___/___/___ Complete Eight Keys to Employability (Pre-Vocational Checklist) Date ___/___/___ DRS Discussion / Referral Date ___/___/___ Electronic Career Search Date ___/___/___ Job Related Self-Advocacy Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Parent Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ PERT Application Date ___/___/___ Workplace Readiness Skills Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Education/Training Date ___/___/___ Career/College Search Date ___/___/___ College Guide for Students with Disabilities Date ___/___/___ CTE Career Exploration Date ___/___/___ CTE Course Participation Date ___/___/___ Discuss entitlement vs. eligibility issues Date ___/___/___ Going to College Date ___/___/___ Investigate scholarship/funding sources: Calculating college expenses Date ___/___/___ Learning Styles Inventory Date ___/___/___ Transition checklist: From High School to College for Students with Disabilities Date ___/___/___ Understand pre-requisites for further training (PSAT, SAT, CTE assessments) Date ___/___/___ Verified Credits Earned Record Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

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10th Grade – Continued

Independent Living/Community Participation Date ___/___/___ Becoming More Independent work book Date ___/___/___ Community Agency Support Discussion Date ___/___/___ DMV Learner’s Permit Date ___/___/___ Driver’s Education Date ___/___/___ Identify how accommodations on IEP translate to workplace/adult life Date ___/___/___ IEP Meeting – Attendance and Participation Date ___/___/___ Independent Living Skills Class (i.e. Cooking, Consumer/Finance, etc.) Date ___/___/___ Independent Living Skills Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Referral to Community Agency Date ___/___/___ Transportation Discussion Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

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11th Grade

Employment Date ___/___/___ Career/Academic Plan Date ___/___/___ Career Search Date ___/___/___ DRS Discussion / Referral Date ___/___/___ Eight Keys to Employability (Pre-Vocational Checklist) Date ___/___/___ Eight Keys to Employability (Exit Checklist) Date ___/___/___ Employability Skills Checklist Date ___/___/___ Identify Barriers to Employment Date ___/___/___ Job Application (paper) Date ___/___/___ Job Application (electronic) Date ___/___/___ Job Interview Skills Date ___/___/___ Job Related Self-Assessment Date ___/___/___ Job Related Self-Advocacy Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Pocket Resume (fill in) Date ___/___/___ Resume and Job References Date ___/___/___ Self-Disclosure Date ___/___/___ Virginia College Wizard Date ___/___/___ Work Experience Date ___/___/___ Workplace Readiness Skills Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Education/Training Date ___/___/___ ASVAB Test Date ___/___/___ College Application Date ___/___/___ College Search Date ___/___/___ College Preparedness Date ___/___/___ College Visit Date ___/___/___ CTE Course Participation Date ___/___/___ The "SmartStudent Guide" to Financial Aid Date ___/___/___ Learning Strategies Date ___/___/___ Letter of Recommendation

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11th Grade – Continued

Education/Training Date ___/___/___ PSAT, SAT, ACT Participation Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Independent Living/Community Participation Date ___/___/___ Academic Self-Advocacy Date ___/___/___ Community Agency Support Discussion Date ___/___/___ DMV Driver’s/Learner’s Permit Date ___/___/___ IEP Meeting – Attendance and Participation Date ___/___/___ Independent Living Skills Class (i.e. Cooking, Consumer/Finance, etc.) Date ___/___/___ Independent Living Skills Questionnaire/Assessment Date ___/___/___ Photo Identification Date ___/___/___ Referral to Community Agency Date ___/___/___ Transportation Discussion Date ___/___/___ Volunteer Record Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

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12th Grade

Employment Date ___/___/___ Career/Academic Plan Date ___/___/___ Career and Independent Living Goals Update Date ___/___/___ CTE Course Date ___/___/___ DRS Meeting Date ___/___/___ Eight Keys to Employability (Complete Exit Checklist) Date ___/___/___ Employment Search Date ___/___/___ Job Application Date ___/___/___ Job Interview Skills/Mock Job Interview Date ___/___/___ Job Shadowing Date ___/___/___ Job Related Self-Advocacy Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Job Related Self-Assessment Date ___/___/___ Update Resume and Job References Date ___/___/___ Virginia College Wizard Date ___/___/___ Work Experience Date ___/___/___ Work Skills Inventory Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Education/Training Date ___/___/___ ASVAB Test Date ___/___/___ College Application Date ___/___/___ College Search Date ___/___/___ College Preparedness Date ___/___/___ College Visit Date ___/___/___ COMPASS, SAT, ACT Participation Date ___/___/___ FAFSA Information Date ___/___/___ Letter of Recommendation Date ___/___/___ Request Transcript Date ___/___/___ Submit applications for scholarship opportunities/funding sources/financial aid

10

12th Grade – Continued

Education/Training Date ___/___/___ Workplace Readiness Skills Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

Independent Living/Community Participation Date ___/___/___ Academic Self-Advocacy Date ___/___/___ Complete and Share Accommodations Questionnaire Date ___/___/___ Community Agency Support Discussion Date ___/___/___ DMV Driver’s/Learner’s Permit Date ___/___/___ IEP Meeting – Attendance and Participation Date ___/___/___ Independent Living Skills Class (i.e. Cooking, Consumer/Finance, etc.) Date ___/___/___ Independent Living Skills Questionnaire/Assessment Date ___/___/___ Medical Transition Checklist Date ___/___/___ Referral to Community Agency Date ___/___/___ Photo Identification Date ___/___/___ Summary of Performance Date ___/___/___ Transportation Discussion Date ___/___/___ Volunteer Record Date ___/___/___ Voter Registration Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other Date ___/___/___ Other

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NOTES

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