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Increasing Graduation Rates

Increasing Graduation Rates and Decreasing Dropout Rates of Students with DisabilitiesCAPS-logoweb-(1).jpg

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/


 

 

Resources

BSE/OVR - Establishing a Process for Coordination BSE/OVR - Establishing a Process for Coordination This BSE/OVR MOU publication describes how to establish the process for coordination between the OVR and the LEA.
Memorandum of Understanding Memorandum of Understanding This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is entered into by and between the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (“DLI”), through its Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (“OVR”), and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (“PDE”), through the Bureau of Special Education (“BSE”).
BSE/OVR - Interagency Agreement: Appendix of Definitions BSE/OVR - Interagency Agreement: Appendix of Definitions This BSE/OVR appendix is designed to provide easily understandable definitions to the terminology used in the PA-BSE-OVR Interagency Agreement. 
BSE/OVR - Inviting OVR to the IEP Meeting BSE/OVR - Inviting OVR to the IEP Meeting This BSE/OVR MOU publication details the LEA's responsibilities and OVR's responsibilities when the LEA invites OVR to the IEP meeting.
BSE/OVR – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Infographic BSE/OVR – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Infographic This BSE/OVR MOU publication is an infographic for families on secondary transition planning.
BSE/OVR - MOU: Overview for Professionals BSE/OVR - MOU: Overview for Professionals This BSE/OVR MOU publication gives a detailed overview of the MOU for professionals. 
BSE/OVR - Why Should a Student Work with OVR? BSE/OVR - Why Should a Student Work with OVR? This BSE/OVR MOU publication describes the benefits of OVR’s Pre-employment Transition Services for students with disabilities.
BSE/OVR IDEA - WIOA Secondary Transition Crosswalk BSE/OVR IDEA - WIOA Secondary Transition Crosswalk This publication contains examples of Pre-Employment Transition Services and School-Level Transition Services with regard to Pennsylvania’s Career Education and Work Standards (13.1-13.4): Career Awareness and Preparation, Career Acquisition, Career Retention and Advancement, and Entrepreneurship. This document provides an explanation of the chart and outlines the responsibilities for each service.
Do You Know About the SAAFP? (Summary of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance) 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 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 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.

Also available in Spanish.
SAAFP: A Worksheet for Parents of Students with Disabilities 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).
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Consultants

- Office Lead
- State Lead
Erin Campion PaTTAN - Pittsburgh
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
Lisa Bolla PaTTAN - Pittsburgh
Jennifer Craig PaTTAN - Pittsburgh
Kaylee Wynkoop PaTTAN - Pittsburgh