Increasing Graduation Rates

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/

• Videos
• Resources
• Consultants

Resources

Secondary Transition: The Importance of Employment - Why Work? This fact sheet provides guidance for parents when discussing the important of employment with their child.
Also available in Spanish.

Secondary Transition: Understanding Self-Advocacy This fact sheet provides guidance for parents on how to discuss self-advocacy with their child.
Also available in Spanish. 

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.
 

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Customized Employment This fact sheet explains the process of customized employment for students with disabilities. 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.

Understanding Career and Technical Education and Special Education: What IEP Teams Need to Know This publication provides information regarding special education and career and technical education (CTE) programs.

Special Education in Pennsylvania: A Focus on Data-Driven Programs and Services 2017-2018 This booklet highlights the Bureau of Special Education’s statewide data regarding the students receiving special education services in the commonwealth.

This publication is not available for download. You may order hard copies by selecting "Add to Cart."

View All Related Resources