Increasing Graduation Rates

Increasing Graduation Rates and Decreasing Dropout Rates of Students with Disabilities

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004 requires states to develop a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). In collaboration with multiple stakeholders, Pennsylvania selected increasing the graduation rate for students with disabilities as its focus. The BSE identified seven coherent improvement strategies that lead to higher graduation rates.

The BSE is partnering with a number of Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to implement its SSIP. High quality training and technical assistance is being offered to schools through this partnership and lessons learned are being shared with all LEAs in the commonwealth. BSE is also collaborating with the federally funded Community Parent Resource Center, Hispanos Unidos para Niños Excepcionales (HUNE). Community and mentoring materials and resources developed through this partnership are being shared with other organizations.

Featured Videos / Presentations

Student Voices: Are you on track to graduate?
https://www.pattan.net/videos/student-voices-are-you-on-track-to-graduate/

Implementing Evidence-Based Practices to Increase Graduation Rates and Decrease Dropout Rates for Students with Disabilities in Pennsylvania
https://www.pattan.net/videos/implementing-evidence-based-practices-to-increase/

Student Voices HUNE Youth Program Video
https://www.pattan.net/videos/students-voices-hune-youth-program/

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Resources

Do You Know About the SAAFP? (Summary of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance) This publication provides information about the Summary of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (SAAFP), which is a document that is provided to student and their parents at the conclusion of students’ high school education. The SAAFP is designed to be a useful and relevant document to assist students in the transition from high school to higher education, training, employment, and independent living.
 

Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Guide Bookmark This bookmark highlights the features of the Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Guide website (www.secondarytransition.org).

Planning for the Future Checklist Students can use this checklist to get ready for life after high school. They can bring it to their meetings with school and/or agency supporters to talk about their progress and how best to plan for their future.
Two different digital files are available - both enable students to check boxes as they complete items on the list - one includes a list of adult agencies and the other allows space for students to type in their own agencies.

SAAFP: A Worksheet for Parents of Students with Disabilities The SAAFP worksheet is a document that is provided to student and their parents at the conclusion of students’ high school education. The SAAFP worksheet, which parents and their children can complete together, is designed to be a useful and relevant document to assist students in the transition from high school to higher education, training, employment, and independent living.

*In addition, PaTTAN offers an SAAFP booklet, Do You Know About the SAAFP?, which provides information about the Summary of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (SAAFP).

Secondary Transition: Customized Employment This fact sheet explains the process of customized employment for students with disabilities. Available in English and Spanish. 

Secondary Transition: Entitlement vs. Eligibility This fact sheet provides an explanation of the difference between entitlement for services and eligibility for services. Available in English and Spanish.

Secondary Transition: Exploring the Options of a Two- or Four-Year College This fact sheet provides information for students with disabilities who would like to attend college.

Secondary Transition: Financial Fundamentals This fact sheet provides discussion starters to help youth/young adults with disabilities and their families get a handle on their financial future.
 

Secondary Transition: Job Skills Learning and practicing job skills while youth are still in schools helps youth with disabilities to be more successful
at finding and maintaining employment. This fact sheet provides information about job skills for students with disabilities.

Also available in Spanish.

Secondary Transition: Post-Secondary Education Expectations This fact sheet provides information for parents to assist them in advising their child about what to expect of a post-secondary educational experience.
Also available in Spanish.

Secondary Transition: Preparing for Employment When family members have high academic and employment expectations for their children with disabilities, the youth experience greater success in those critical areas. Family members’ awareness of their children’s potential employability and the importance of work are likely to influence positive employment outcomes for youth with disabilities.

Secondary Transition: Promoting Independent Living While Still in School There are many aspects of independence for a young person with a disability and family members to consider. Independence can be defined as the ability to decide how a person wants to live, participate, and access community resources, as well as the level of supports that a person may need to be successful. This fact sheet assists in beginning the discussion.
 

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Consultants

- Office Lead

- State Lead

Rick Creech PaTTAN - Harrisburg

Dennis Cullen PaTTAN - East

Jacki Lyster PaTTAN - East

Hillary Mangis, Ph.D. PaTTAN - Pittsburgh

Elaine Neugebauer PaTTAN - Pittsburgh

Ryan Romanoski PaTTAN - Harrisburg

Roni Russell PaTTAN - Harrisburg

James Wright PaTTAN - Harrisburg

Jeffery Coover PaTTAN - Pittsburgh

Lisa Russo, Ed.D. PaTTAN - East

Kimberly Cole PaTTAN - East

Cecil Crouch PaTTAN - Pittsburgh

Jennifer Craig PaTTAN - Pittsburgh

Kaylee Wynkoop PaTTAN - Pittsburgh