Tuesday's Transition Tips

Tuesday's Transition Tips

yellow post it note with Tuesday's Transition Tips for Teachers is a weekly email for teachers, administrators, parents, counselors, and vocational rehabilitation staff. "Tip" topics include quality and compliant Transition IEPs, transition assessments, drop-out prevention strategies, work-based learning, academic and life skill instruction, family involvement, working with Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation, and much, much more.

Current Tip

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October, is a way of celebrating the resiliency, contributions, and culture of Indigenous peoples. As a transition educator, it is important that you recognize that different cultures can require different approaches to transition.

According to the Understanding Disabilities in American Indians & Alaska Native Communities Toolkit:

  • In 2018, 18% of American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) students aged 3–21 received special education services, the highest of any racial/ethnic group.
  • There is a 67% AI/AN graduation rate compared to a national average of 80%.
  • In Indiana, .23% of children with disabilities identify as American Indian / Alaska Native (Office of Special Education Programs).

Informed transition educators strive to understand the diverse cultural backgrounds of their students, and then remain open to differences that may be necessary for individual transition success. For example, see this article from Achola and Greene about how to plan for a positive transition experience for the culturally and linguistically diverse in your classrooms.

Check out the resources below to find out how you can help students with disabilities who identify as native celebrate their heritage—and at the same time educate all your students about native history and contributions.

Resources

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