04+Secondary

Secondary Education Albert Lea High School Grades 8-12


 * Contact Information:**
 * Special Education Case Facilitators**

Heather Harms 507-379-5355 heather.harms@alschools.org

Julie Ulve 507-379-5348 julie.ulve@alschools.org

** What is Secondary Transition Planning? ** Transition means change or movement from one stage to another. Educationally, secondary transition means that high school special education programs should be about preparing students with disabilities for life after high school. The goal of secondary transition is that when students graduate, they have a plan for their future; the skills to make the plan work; and have established relationships with the people and agencies that can assist them. Secondary transition programs frequently provide specialized instruction in functional academics. This means teaching reading, writing and math skills in a manner related to how the student will need to use them upon graduation. Understanding your disability and all its implications for learning, work and leisure is also a central characteristic of transition programs, as is learning self-advocacy and self-determination skills. Another essential component for most students is work-based learning. Students are placed on actual community job sites and so that they can learn first-hand the skills necessary to be a good, marketable employees. Finally, a transition curriculum will assist the student in identifying the people and agencies outside of school setting that can provide them with the help and guidance they may need. Creating a transition plan requires collaboration and creativity. Unlike school services, adult agency services are not mandated by federal law. Team members need to network broadly in order to assist the student in making the appropriate connections for services. The hope of secondary transition is for every student to be as successful, as independent and as involved in their community as they are capable. The law mandates that transition planning begins no later than the student's 9th grade IEP meeting. There are five transitional areas to be considered:
 * 1) Post-secondary education and training
 * 2) Employment and vocational skills
 * 3) Community participation
 * 4) Independent living skills
 * 5) Recreation and leisure activities