Special Projects

Pennsylvania IDEA/MOU Transition Communities of Practice
Instructional programs for students with disabilities that are based on the academic standards and have measurable outcomes are essential components in ensuring a student's successful post-school achievement. However it is equally important to connect the student and his or her family to adult service agencies and activities that support the student's desired outcome areas. Pennsylvania is approaching this effort through a nationally recognized Community of Practice (CoP).

A Community of Practice centered on secondary transition has proved vital in promoting better linkages to adult service agencies and community based activities for students with disabilities. Personnel representing four state agencies that share responsibility for serving youth with disabilities (Education, Labor and Industry, Public Welfare, and Health) meet regularly to develop cross-systems plans, policies, and professional development activities. The Pennsylvania Transition CoP identifies and embraces the essential elements of a community, including having a shared interest and dedication to improved transition services. The interagency team considers itself a learning community and is goal-oriented and results-focused. The team emphasizes understanding each member's role, recognizing the validity of all interests, and continuously asking who else needs to be invited to the planning table.

A major focus of the Pennsylvania Transition CoP is to support and advance the activities of the Local Transition Coordinating Councils (LTCCs) to establish the availability of cross-systems programs and services for Pennsylvania's youth with disabilities. The sixty-three regional LTCCs have a comprehensive cross-system membership that includes students, family members, educational staff, personnel from outside agencies, employers, higher education representatives, government officials, and other individuals interested in ensuring successful post-school outcomes for young adults with disabilities. The LTCCs are focused on developing best practice transition projects, that is products and activities that will enable young adults with disabilities to be successful after high school in the areas of employment, education/training, and community living.

Pennsylvania Transition CoP interagency members have jointly planned and delivered statewide cross-systems training, three annual transition conferences, and have directly impacted successful student outcomes through State and Local Mentoring Days, Youth Leadership and Self Advocacy workshops, and ongoing progress monitoring efforts. Pennsylvania Transition CoP members also recognize that service providers, educators, and community members need to have a basic understanding of each other's roles, responsibilities, motivations, and desires before they can be expected to cooperatively plan for and provide services to transitioning youth and young adults. The Pennsylvania Transition CoP has continuously provided training content through a professional development effort that is inclusive of staff from all of the partners, parents, and students

The Pennsylvania Transition CoP around secondary transition has been nationally recognized and the group is contacted regularly to provide technical assistance to other states and national organizations on how to replicate the practice.