T.S. Eliot in his famous poem The Quartets says we “...arrive where we started and know
the place for the first time” and he goes on to say "In my beginning is my ending". Nothing could be truer when it comes to young adults
with learning issues graduating from high school. As they venture off to next
steps in the world, they begin anew. Although this path is new, many steps they will take are familiar.
Because of the rigor it took to graduate from High School, they
are well on their way to being successful with a new set of challenges. No
matter what is next for your young adult, a few steps properly taken at this
momentous time can preserve options and smooth the road later.
And... here is fair warning about a few obstacles as your kids with learning issues venture out into the world! There is a tendency to
engage in what I call “Hope-a-Hope-a”: to believe a learning issue is
understood and no longer a challenge. In essence, there can be a little feeling
deep down inside that says “I have graduated from my learning issue”! This is
just not true! What is guaranteed to happen, however, is that new experiences
with their learning issue will arise.
Summary of Performance
IDEA, the legislation that covers
kids with learning issues while in primary and secondary schools, requires that
a local education agency provide a summary of the child’s academic achievement and
functional performance. Completing this is an important step to take on making a good start with what ever new beginning the student is embarking upon. This Summary of Performance (SOP) should include
recommendations on how to assist the child in meeting post-secondary goals.
Creating a summary of their achievement and performance at graduation can help
with educational, work and other options later in life.
What goes into a (SOP) - Summary of Performance
The SOP should contain the following
information to make it as usable as possible in the future.
·
Background
Information This section
requests that copies of the most recent formal and informal assessments that
document the child’s learning issues be included.
·
Students
Post secondary Goals These goals should
indicate the post high school environment the student has plans of
transitioning to upon completion of high school.
·
Summary
of Performance This section has three critical areas:
o Cognitive
o Academic
o Functional
The student’s
present level of performance in each area should be addressed as well as
modifications, accommodations and assistive technology used.
·
Recommendations to
assist the student in meeting Post Secondary Goals A description of
essential accommodations, assistive technology and support services the student
will need to access their post secondary goals.
·
Student Input Student input to these
reports is essential to its clarity for both the student and those that will
use the report in the future. The student may fill this section out
independently or through a student interview.
How Do I Get Started on an SOP?
A template for the SOP can be downloaded from the LDA
website at www.ldamerica.org It is available
to be freely copied or adapted for educational purposes. Hats off to the National
Transition Team for making this available for all!
Take a moment in the midst of your graduation
celebrations to plan for the future for your student with learning disabilities. It is
just plain smart to request a thorough SOP from your school as a parting “gift”.
It will prove useful in the future!
Warmly,
Becky
Parents, do
you have questions raising your child with learning issues? You can raise
confident capable kids despite learning issues. Reach out for answers to your
most perplexing questions today!
Becky Scott
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