Transitions to High School: Course Starter Kit

TARGET GROUP: 6th–9th Grade

This complete program facilitates students' transition from middle school to high school through multimedia presentations including an engaging video and the Self-Advocacy Handbook. The lessons are reinforced through the use of the well-structured Student Work Guide and the My Transitions Booklet.

The DVD features interviews with six real-life students with specific learning disabilities and/or ADHD before and after their transition to high school. They openly discuss the challenges they have faced and how they have attained success through self-advocacy and positive self-efficacy beliefs. This program is being implemented by regular & special education teachers, learning assistance staff and school counselors to assist elementary and middle school students in a successful transition to high school. Students gain greater confidence, become effective self-advocates, and learn how to plan for their academic future.

Sections & Key Concepts:

Section One: About LD & ADHD

• Understanding LD, ADHD; discussing misconceptions
• Understanding your profile – strengths and difficulties
• Self-evaluation
• Defining your success
• Focusing on your strengths

Section Two: Differences Between Elementary/Middle & High School

• Understanding the differences
• Deciding how the differences will affect you
• Outlining your goals & strategies for dealing with these differences

Section Three: Transition Planning

• Preparing in advance for high school
• Developing goals for high school
• Understanding more about learning assessments & IEPs
• Preparing for your IEP meeting (including self-directed meeting)
• Learning to take control of your educational and life direction

Section Four: Being a Self-Advocate

• Understanding what it means to be a good self-advocate
• Describing your learning profile to teachers & others
• Completing transition planning, goal planning & IEP worksheets
• Understanding accommodations, strategies & technological aids
• Turning your goals into action plans
• Planning for social skill development

COMPLETE COURSE STARTER KIT INCLUDES: Self-Advocacy Handbook (5 pack), Student Work Guide (5 pack), My Transitions Booklet (5 pack), 43-minute DVD with Discussion Guide. (©2000)