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August 2024

Volume 12, Issue 4

PROJECT 10 TOPICAL BRIEFS

are published on a bi-monthly basis. Each issue focuses on a specific topic or theme, highlighting current and upcoming information and events related to secondary transition. This month the Topical Brief is focused on a Secondary Transition Research Summary.


Professional educators and other stakeholders supporting secondary transitions for students with disabilities benefit from research, trends, data, and resources to inform and implement effective practices. Research and academic literature can reinforce or challenge existing practices with new data, experimental designs, or hypotheses.



This edition of the Project 10 Topical Brief spotlights “Secondary Transition Predictors of Post-School Success: An Update to the Research Base” (Mazzotti, V., PhD, et al., 2020) and provides key takeaways and relevant resources that can support educators in implementing secondary transition practices that result in positive outcomes for students with disabilities. The Topical Brief also provides information on secondary transition topics, including healthcare transition information and resources, deferment of receipt of a standard diploma and how to connect with Project 10 via Facebook.

Use the green button below to share this Topical Brief with someone who would benefit from this edition. 

Topics


  • Key Takeaways and Resources from Secondary Transition Predictors of Post-School Success: An Update to the Research Base


  • Healthcare Transition Information and Resources


  • Deferment of Receipt of a Standard Diploma: Did You Know?


  • Keep Yourself in the Loop by Following Project 10 on Facebook



Key Takeaways and Resources from Secondary Transition Predictors of Post-School Success: An Update to the Research Base


The article “Secondary Transition Predictors of Post-School Success: An Update to the Research Base” reviews correlational literature on secondary transition to strengthen the evidence for existing predictors and identify new ones linked to post-school success for students with disabilities. School districts, educators, and secondary transition stakeholders are encouraged to use the identified predictors to design, implement, and sustain effective transition planning activities, programs, and data collection and monitoring systems to enhance post-school success for students. The research includes rigorous statistical analysis and qualitative insights, with key takeaways (including relevant resources) summarized below.


1. Verification of Existing Predictors and the Addition of New Predictors: The study updated and refined the list of in-school predictors that are empirically linked to post-school success for students with disabilities. It confirmed the effectiveness of 20 existing predictors and introduced three new ones, providing a comprehensive guide for improving student outcomes in areas such as career/employment, education, and independent living. Three new predictors—psychological empowerment, self-realization, and technology skills—should be integrated into transition planning to better support students in achieving their postsecondary goals.


Relevant Resources:

  • Resource 1: Project 10: Transition Education Network – Offers secondary and post-school transition information and resources, including the publication “Predictors of Post-School Outcomes” (found on the Project 10 Publications page). The publication provides enhanced definitions and “ideas for families” for all 23 predictors.
  • Resource 2: National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT) – Provides evidence-based predictors and strategies for improving post-school outcomes. (A free registration is required to access NTACT’s site.)

2. Importance of Cross-Agency Collaboration: The study highlights the critical role of collaboration between schools, families, and external agencies in supporting the transition of students with disabilities. Effective coordination among these stakeholders is essential for implementing the identified predictors and ensuring that students receive comprehensive support across different areas of their lives.


Relevant Resources:

  • Resource 1: Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) – Offer support and training for families to participate in transition planning. Florida’s resource for helping families of children with disabilities is Family Network on Disabilities (FND).
  • Resource 2: Interagency Transition Councils (IACs) – Foster collaboration between different agencies involved in the transition process. More information on the status of an IAR can be made via contacting local school districts/LEAs.


3. Implications for Practice and Policy: The findings of the study have significant implications for both educators and policymakers, emphasizing the need to focus on evidence-based predictors in transition planning. By prioritizing these predictors, schools and districts can develop more effective strategies to support students with disabilities in achieving successful post-school outcomes in education, employment, and independent living.


Relevant Resources

  • Resource 1: Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) – Provides guidance, resources, and funding opportunities for improving special education services.
  • Resource 2: Transition Coalition This resource offers training, resources, and support specifically designed to help educators and policymakers improve secondary transition practices. The Transition Coalition emphasizes evidence-based approaches and collaborative efforts to enhance post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.


Article Source Information:

Mazzotti, V. L., Rowe, D. A., Kwiatek, S., Voggt, A., Chang, W., Fowler, C. H., Poppen, M., Sinclair, J., and Test, D. W., (2020). Secondary Transition Predictors of Post-School Success: An Update to the Research Base. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 00(0), 1-18. DOI: 10.1177/2165143420959793.



Healthcare Transition

Information and Resources


The Florida Youth to Adult Transition (FLY2AT) website is https://www.floridahats.org/. FLY2AT is a program of the Florida Department of Health, Children’s Medical Services, which ensures a successful transition from youth to adulthood for all youth and young adults in Florida.


The website includes a wealth of information and resources, including a toolbox, related to supporting individuals, adults, families, educators, and other disability advocates and stakeholders with healthcare transition.



The Special Health Care Needs Resources Guide for Florida (May 2024) can be found here: https://www.floridahats.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/

HCT_Resource_Guide.pdf. 



Deferment of Receipt of a Standard Diploma: Did You Know?


To support all transition stakeholders’ understanding of the process of deferment of receipt of a Florida standard diploma. Project 10 is providing a deferment tip in each edition of its Topical Briefs. Take a look at this month’s “Deferment Did You Know?”:


  • Meeting all requirements for a Florida standard diploma is a prerequisite for deferral, as per Section 1003.4282(9)(c) Florida Statutes. As a result, deferment is not intended to support students in completing requirements to earn a standard diploma.
  • Students with disabilities may stay in school to work on meeting graduation requirements up to age 22, but this is not a deferment program. 



Keep Yourself in the Loop by Following Project 10 on Facebook



Would you like to be part of our amazing transition community? Project 10 provides weekly information on transition-related events and topics, products and training launches, and other important state and project announcements. Please follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/project10usfsp, or simply type “Project 10 Transition” into your Facebook search function to find us. Be sure to like, follow and share us - and help spread the news!



Join Our Mailing List


About Project 10 Topical Briefs:

Project 10 Topical Briefs provide informational summaries and resource links related to secondary transition.


Have a question? Want to find or recommend a resource? Have some great news to share?

Email us at project10@stpete.usf.edu.


For back issues of Project 10 Topical Briefs, visit our Topical Briefs page on the Project 10 website.

Project 10: Transition Education Network

Assists Florida school districts and relevant stakeholders in building capacity to provide secondary transition services to students with disabilities in order to improve their academic success and post-school outcomes.


Project 10: Transition Education Network

University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Questions or comments?

Email us at project10@stpete.usf.edu.

www.project10.info