#97 - Parent Roles in IEP Transition Planning
Parents often take a significant role in planning the future for their child with disabilities. It is not feasible to take on every role and task so how can parents identify and prioritize their roles in transition planning? What are the most important aspects in which to devote energy and attention?
About the Guest
Dawn A. Rowe, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the department of Educational Foundations and Special Education at East Tennessee State University. Her research and scholarship are focused on three main areas of research: evidence-based practices and predictors of postschool success for students with disabilities, life skills interventions (e.g., goal setting, self-management, communication skills), and professional development (e.g., families, in-service and pre-service educators). She has over 20 years’ experience working in the adult service system and as a teacher and transition specialist for youth with disabilities in the public-school system. Dr. Rowe serves as the academic editor for the Council for Exceptional Children’s Research to Practice Journal, TEACHING Exceptional Children. Dr. Rowe’s publications have focused on transition assessment, transition skill instruction for low incidence disabilities, and family engagement.
Links to Mentioned Content
Center for Parent Information and Resources includes a lot of resources and professional development around IDEA and secondary transition. It is also the place to go to find the local parent center nearest you.
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT) provides technical assistance and supports around transition and includes a lot of free webinars about the topic that might be of interest. They also have a list serv that provides announcements about upcoming professional development, conferences, policy updates, etc.
The Zarrow Center is a great resource for transition related curriculum and assessments that can be used at home and school.
The IRIS Center has free online modules related to transition plus a host of other topics.
The Transition Coalition provides a lot of free online transition professional development. They have even developed some study guides to help facilitate working through the modules.
List Servs
Office of Special Education Programs is worthwhile, although if you are on the list serves of any of the organizations above, you will get the relevant messages that come out of this office
Local Council on Developmental Disabilities. You can find your state’s council contact information here.
