Transition services are intended to prepare students to make the transition from school to adulthood. To assist with the transition process, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, including the parent, must consider appropriate services that would permit the student to leave secondary school with the necessary skills to achieve the transition goals determined by the IEP team. The entire transition process is a set of coordinated activities that is outcome-oriented and based on an individual transition assessment.

Proposed Secondary Transition Policy

The IDEA and DCMR clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of all LEAs to adequately prepare students with disabilities for postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation upon graduating or exiting high school. Furthermore, IDEA requires all LEAs to have in effect, by the student’s 16th birthday, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team, a coordinated set of activities that is results-oriented and focuses on improving the academic and functional achievement of the student. This proposed policy serves to clarify what is required of all LEA) in order to ensure that the District of Columbia has in place secondary transition policies and procedures as required by the IDE) 2004, its implementing federal regulations, and Title 5, Chapter 30 of the DCMR.

Proposed Secondary Transition Policy*

Public Comment Period

Persons wishing to comment on this policy should submit their comments in writing to Tameria Lewis, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, 51 N Street, NE 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20002.

Attention: Desirée Brown. Emailed comments should be forwarded to the following address: osse.publiccomment@dc.gov or faxed comments should be forwarded to (202) 741-0227.

The public comment period starts September 25, 2009 and concludes on October 25, 2009

Hearing Notice
The OSSE will be conducting two (2) public hearings regarding the proposed Part C Regulations and the proposed Comprehensive Child Find Policy Thursday, October 8, 2009 and Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

For details regarding the upcoming hearings please view the following*.

OSSE Department of Special Education Contact

To speak with someone directly regarding the proposed policy please contact:

Tammie Picklesimer
Director of Special Education Policy Development
Department of Special Education,
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
51 N St NE, 7th Floor
Washington DC 20002
Office: (202) 481-3870
Cell: (202) 615-9667
Fax:(202) 741-0229
tammie.picklesimer@dc.gov
www.osse.dc.gov