The State Office of Special Education (SOSE) is contacting former students to participate in a survey to measure post high school outcome success rate, according to a press release from SOSE Director Carrie Johns.
“We are seeking the assistance of former students ages 16-21 who attended public or private schools and utilized the Virgin Islands Department of Education special services to earn a high school diploma, certificate of completion, or who may have exited school in another manner,” Johns said.
The survey, which has been conducted since 2008, helps SOSE and the local education agency improve transition services, a result-oriented process that focuses on improving the academic and functional achievement for youths with disabilities.
The survey further helps track the progress of students with disabilities that could remain in the SOSE program up to age 21. Upon leaving secondary school, all students that had IEP’s (Individualized Educational Plan) receive a summary of their accomplishments and transition needs along with their report cards. An evaluation of the student’s strengths and weaknesses, along with an educational plan for academic success, is also included.
The IEP summary is later transferred into a student’s Individual Transition Plan (ITP), a component of the transition program that the student needs to achieve desired post-secondary goals.
Previous post school survey results showed the percentage of youth that had IEPs and are no longer in secondary school, or have been competitively employed, enrolled in some type of post secondary school, or both, within one year after leaving high school were: 78 percent in SY 2008-2009 and 81 percent in SY 2009-2010.
“These high and increasing percentage rates attest to the success of former IEP students and the effectiveness of our special education services,” said Johns.
For more information, contact Eddie Parrilla at 718-7682.
