News from the Special Education Department

 

Senior year is almost over for the class of 2013!  It is such a season of great excitement for both students and their parents, as memorable endings and new beginnings occur one after another. If your child is a member of the class of 2013, has had an IEP, and received learning support services throughout his/her educational career, you may be wondering how your child’s learning differences will affect his future plans.  The educational rights that are found in an Individualized Education Plan (I.E.P.) end when your daughter or son graduates and a NOREP (Notice of Recommended Educational Placement) is signed, exiting her or him from the program.   Whether your child directly enters the work force or pursues more training or education, some of the accommodations and modifications which helped your child succeed in school can also help your child find success in future endeavors.  There will be a HUGE difference, however, your daughter or son will now be totally responsible for advocating for herself / himself.  You can help advise your child, but you cannot talk to anyone at either a job or a school.  However, your child is not being sent out into a void.  Red Lion Area Senior High School will be providing your child with a document entitled “Senior Summary of Performance,” which will briefly detail the accommodations and modifications she received in school, along with suggestions that may help her succeed in the post-high school world.  This guide has been prepared with input from your student, and should assist him in asking for the change(s) he would need an employer or educator to make in order to “level the playing field” so that he could have an equal opportunity to succeed.  Additionally,  if your child qualifies for services from OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation – see prior blog post) a counselor might assist your child with this process.