West Virginia Roadmap to Secondary Transition

In West Virginia, preparing students with disabilities for successful transition to post school outcomes begins long before they graduate from high school. The West Virginia Roadmap To Secondary Transition (PDF) provides a graphic representation of the expected journey from early childhood to adulthood.

Transition Assessment Resource Bank (July 2024)

The Transition Assessment Resource Bank contains resources to help students, families and school personnel identify potential careers that meet students’ interests and the basic supports necessary to become, or remain, employed. Self-determination and independent living assessments are included to assist in developing an inventory of individual skill levels necessary for successful post-secondary goals related to household chores, personal care, common community errands, as well as personal growth and community participation.

Post Secondary Goals Worksheet (November 2023)

Starting with the IEP to be in effect when a student is 14 years old, regardless of the student’s eligibility category, the IEP must include postsecondary goals in the areas of education/training, employment, and, when appropriate, independent living. The Post Secondary Goals Worksheet document provides support for IEP teams as they develop quality postsecondary goals for students with disabilities ages 14-21.

Annual Transition Goals Tip Sheet (October 2023)

The Annual Transition Goals Tip Sheet provides information about developing measurable annual transition goals. It also includes a brief summary of state and federal regulations, essential components of writing annual transition goals, and examples of how to connect annual transition goals to a measurable post-secondary goal.

IDEA Transition Services

Secondary transition services are defined as a coordinated set of activities and supports necessary for a student with a disability to achieve a seamless transition from high school to post-school environments. Transition services delivered by LEAs are based on individual student interests and needs and are aligned to the student’s postsecondary goals. The activities listed in these documents are not exhaustive but have been provided as examples of the transition services that could be delivered by local schools.

• IDEA Transition Services Examples – Education/Training (December 2023)
• IDEA Transition Services Examples – Employment (December 2023)
• IDEA Transition Services Examples – Independent Living (December 2023)

Cooperative Agreement between WVDE and WV DRS

The 2023 Cooperative Agreement between WVDE and WV DRS has been developed for the purpose of more effective and efficient service delivery to West Virginia students with disabilities. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of each agency in the identification and delivery of appropriate transition and pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities ages 14-21.

NTACT:C – A Side-by-Side View: Transition Services

The NTACT:C – A Side-by-Side View was developed by a national technical assistance center and provides an overview of the regulations related to secondary transition service delivery for Pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS), Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Services, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Secondary Transition File Review Checklist Revised (August 2024)

The Secondary Transition File Review Checklist provides information and criteria for monitoring and accountability as it relates to secondary transition plans.

Indicator 13: Secondary Transition Plan Monitoring Process (August 2024)

The Indicator 13: Secondary Transition Plan Monitoring Process document outlines specific steps required by the local educational agency (LEA) so that the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) Office of Special Education (OSE) can ensure that the LEA is correctly implementing the requirements of IDEA in regards to secondary transition planning process.

Age of Majority (March 2023)

The Age of Majority pdf describes what Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team members need to know and do before a student reaches the age of majority. It also provides resources for school personnel, parents, and students that may be helpful in guiding conversations during transition planning.

Summary of Performance (March 2024)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 [20 USCS §1414(c)(5)(B)(ii)] requires a Summary of Performance (SOP) for students exiting special education with a regular high school diploma or who reach the maximum age for eligibility. The SOP document acts as an exit document that summarizes student strengths and challenges as well as successful learning strategies used while in high school. Once a student leaves high school, the adult student/parent may give permission for the SOP to be provided as appropriate to: (1) a student support services office at a college or university, (2) an agency providing services after high school, or (3) an employer. The SOP is an essential component to enable continuity of transition support for the student after graduation [34 CFR §300.305(e)(3)].

West Virginia State Parks Directory for Work-Based Learning Opportunities (Fall 2022)

The WV State Parks Directory for Work-Based Learning Opportunities provides contact information and potential jobs related to work-based learning opportunities in Parks, Forests, ATV/Motorized Trails operated by the State of West Virgina.

Classroom 2 Career

Classroom 2 Career is a one-stop website designed to help all students navigate the future by providing information on careers, colleges, military service, entrepreneurship, and on-the-job training.

A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities – 2020

To assist students and youth with disabilities in achieving their post-school and career goals, Congress enacted two key statutes that address the provision of transition service. This transition guide has been provided by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to aid in the seamless transition from school to post-school activities.

Pathways to the Future (pathwayswv.org)

PathwaysWV.org is a collection of resources and tools to help students with disabilities through the journey from youth to adulthood.

Alternate Diploma: Tip Sheet for Personnel (December 2022)

The Alternate Diploma: Tip Sheet for Personnel provides guidance and general information regarding students on the alternate diploma track.

Understanding Alternate Diplomas (September 2022)

What Teachers, Parents, and Students need to know to understand alternate diplomas.

WVASA Eligibility Checklist (Fall 2022)

The WVASA Eligibility Checklist contains the criteria used by IEP Teams to determine whether students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are eligible to participate in the West Virginia Alternate Summative Assessment (WVASA). This form is reviewed and completed annually even if students have previously been found eligible to participate in WVASA.

WVASA Eligibility Guidance (Fall 2022)

WVASA Eligibility Guidance is a companion document for supporting IEPs teams as they complete the WVASA Eligibility checklist.

Evidence-Based Resource Bank – Secondary Transition (October 2024)

This document provides an overview of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) related to improving graduation outcomes for students with disabilities ages 14-21.

Evidence for ESSA | Evidence For ESSA

The website is sponsored by the Center for Research and Reform in Education (CRRE) at Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Their mission is to provide clear and authoritative information on programs that meet the ESSA evidence standards and enable educators and communities to select effective educational tools to improve student success

IRIS | Resources (vanderbilt.edu)

The IRIS Center creates a host of materials and resources about evidence-based instructional and intervention practices. Developed in collaboration with nationally recognized researchers and education experts, these instructional resources are created for use in professional development activities, and independent learning opportunities for practicing educators.

WVGtG Implementation Frameworks to Support Effective Practices (September 2023)

These frameworks include High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) in Special Education, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and West Virginia Tiered System of Supports (WVTSS). Each framework is summarized in the description and related resources are also provided as website and video links designed to provide schools, families, and the community with additional information to improve graduation outcomes for West Virginia students.

WVGtG Implementation Supports Resource Bank (November 2022)

The Implementation Support Resource Bank provides modules, information briefs, publications, and websites to support local education agencies (LEAs) across the state of West Virginia to implement effective practices with fidelity.

Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System Implementation Guide (June 2020)

This Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System (EWIMS) Implementation Guide is a supporting document for schools and districts that are implementing an early warning system (EWS). An EWS is a platform that uses local, historical student data; research-based early warning indicators; and predictive analytics to accurately identify students who are in danger of not achieving key educational milestones, such as on-time graduation. WVDE uses ZOOMWV as it’s single source for pre-k through grade 12 educational data.

Preventing Dropout in Secondary Schools (2017 Educator’s Practice Guide)

The goal of this practice guide is to offer educators specific, evidence-based recommendations that address the challenges of preventing dropout in secondary schools. This guide synthesizes the best publicly available research and shares practices that are supported by evidence. It is intended to be practical and easy for teachers and school leaders to use.

Communities In Schools

Communities In Schools (CIS) West Virginia and CIS site coordinators leverage partnerships to connect students and families with community resources, tailoring them to their specific needs.

Engaging High School Parents (January 2023)

Provides five (5) strategies and quick wins for school administrators to encourage family engagement for secondary students.

West Virginia Advisory Council for the Education of Exceptional Children

Parent support and statewide advocacy resources can be found on this website. The West Virginia Advisory Council for the Education of Exceptional Children (WVACEEC) is mandated by WV state Code §18-20-6 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) §300.136.

WV Parent Training & Information

The West Virginia Parent Training and Information, Inc. (WVPTI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of ALL children through a special emphasis on children and youth with all disabilities and special healthcare needs. We serve parents and families of a child or youth from birth to age twenty-six with special needs. We are committed to providing parents and families the tools to ensure that children, youth, and young adults with special needs lead enriched lives as full members of their schools and communities.

PACER Center – Champions for Children with Disabilities

PACER Center is a parent training and information center for families of children and youth with all disabilities from birth to young adults. Parents can find publications, workshops, and other resources to help make decisions about education, vocational training, employment, and other services for their children with disabilities.

WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (wvdrs.org)

The West Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) helps students with disabilities, ages 14-21, prepare and plan for their future. Services for high school students with disabilities can include self-advocacy training, career exploration, tutoring, mentoring, soft skills training, educational support, counseling on postsecondary education opportunities, vocational training assistance, college/university tuition support, workplace readiness training, work-based learning experiences, and job search and placement assistance. Further assistance is available beyond graduation that may include vocational training, college financial assistance, job placement services, and much more. For more information, please visit www.wvdrs.org and www.pathwaysWV.org, or contact DRS by email (DRSQuestions@wv.gov) or call 1-800-642-8207.

WV DRS Offices – Location map and contact information

DRS maintains more than 30 local offices organized into six districts throughout West Virginia. Please use this link to find the office nearest you.

Behavior and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center (marshall.edu)

The Behavior/Mental Health Technical Assistance Center is funded by West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and is housed at the Autism Training Center at Marshall University.

WV Autism Training Center (marshall.edu)

The West Virginia Autism Training Center (WV ATC) was established in 1984 by the WV Legislature and housed at Marshall University.

WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities (cedwvu.org)

WVU CED is a federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), and part of a national network of similar centers across the country. WVU CED serves as a resource to the community in the areas of education, research and service as it relates to the needs of people with disabilities.