Transitions: What Impacts this Process Essay Example

1 year, including goals for important and the matter in which the school will help the student to achieve this goal” (Prater & Sileo, p. 11, 2013). IEP’s allow for the student to become successful in school by having in place many different accommodations and modifications for the child so that they can have a positive school year.

Under a student’s IEP comes a transition plan which ensures that a student has a successful transition from school to post school life. Having a proper transition plan in place will allow for the student with a disability to become successful throughout their life.

Unfortunately, this goal is not always reachable due to the lack of support given to the students throughout the entire transition process. According to the text, “Life Beyond the Classroom: Transition Strategies for Young People with Disabilities,” Paul Wehman states “IEP’s for students ages 16 year and older must specify transition planning” (p. 10, 2013).

Even though transition planning starts at such a young age before the child leaves school and enters adulthood, the many barriers and struggles that come out of the entire process make it impossible for a child to be successful out of the school setting. The two most important barriers and struggles that are faced with transition planning have to deal with lack of communication between the school, teachers and parents as well as lack of family involvement.

Family involvement plays a huge role when it comes to providing their child with disabilities beneficial services and plans during and after the child leaves school. “Parent and family involvement in the transition-planning process has been found to be a predictor of postsecondary success for

individuals with disabilities” (Wehman, p. 72, 2013).

When families are involved throughout their child’s educational careers especially during the transition process, it leads to a more positive outcome for the child. In the article, “What do students with disabilities tell us about the importance of family involvement in the transition from school to adult life?” Morningstar and Turnbull (1995) express how, many students felt that when their parents were involved regarding their transition process, it had a positive impact on their transition from school adult life.

Though family involvement is key to a successful transition for a student with a disability, there are many barriers with family involvement. “In practice, however, parents and professionals experience difficulty in achieving collaborative working relationships” (Morningstar & Turnbull, p. 249, 1995).

Teachers cannot force families to be involved in their child’s educational career. I feel that reaching out to the parents early and letting them know what is going on in addition to being a support system for the parents through all the emotions and struggles that they are faced with is a good start to encourage involvement. Furthermore, many families and students do not have the proper information regarding transition plan’s which negatively effects the amount of involvement that they put in throughout the process.

Families are already stressed enough with having to take care of a child with a disability, so they do not need the extra stress and to worry about how their child will do outside of school. Many parents do not know where they fit into the transition planning process or how they can help which leaves them at a standpoint with helping their child (Wehman, 2013).

With the

lack of information given to the parents it forces them to become uninvolved throughout the whole process. Martinez, Conroy, and Cerreto conducted a study to understand how parents accessed information regarding the transition process and the impact it had on their child’s post-secondary education. Their study found that, “Parents indicated they wanted more, readily available information. The information they did receive was inadequate for transition planning.

Confusion existed as to their options. Without sufficient guidance or information, they were “floored and scared to death.”” (p. 284, 2012). Many families do not have information available to them or do not get enough information regarding their child’s transition process which sadly forces them be less involved in the whole process because they are confused with what is going on.

Students also do not receive information regarding their transition plan which negatively affects them. “Students who do not have the opportunities to learn to plan and manage their lives will leave school without the skills necessary to achieve positive adult outcomes” (Morningstar & Turnbull, p. 250, 1995). Students need to know what is going on regarding their future and they need to be involved throughout the whole process so they can have a say if what happens and goes on. If the student does not help with planning their lives they will be lost when they leave high school and not have a successful adult life.

Ways which can help with parents receiving lack of information, is starting the transition process earlier in the child’s school career. Instead of creating a transition plan for a child at the age of 16, schools should start this as a child enters middle school.

Furthermore,

schools need to have group meetings with parents, teacher, and students with professionals who are experts in this field so that they can go and gain the proper knowledge regarding transitions so that they are not confused or feel as though they are lost when it comes to transition plans. Communication is the key component between the school, teachers, parents and students in order to have a successful transition plan.

Communication between members of the school, the student in addition to the family of the student needs to start being the top priority for the child’s sake. There also needs to be much improvement when it comes to communication between all. Having an open line of communication between all will help with getting rid of any confusion that family members may have regarding their child in school, as well as teachers concerns regarding the child.

In “Parental Involvement: The Missing Link in School Achievement” Larocque, Keliman, and Darling (2011) express how, “Information from parents can help teachers plan activities and set appropriate goal for students” (p. 117). By having that open communication and relationship between the parent, the school and teacher, it will allow for everyone to be on the same page regarding the child’s education progress as well as their transition process. Everyone will understand their role throughout the process and be able to voice their concerns and opinions if there are any.

Parents want to feel as though they belong when it comes making decisions for their child and want to feel that they are wanted and needed during this process. “It is important to create a sense of community and to understand family challenges” (Larocque

et al., p. 119, 2011). Having open communication by all parties and informing parents and students about the transition plans and what it is, will allow them to feel as though they are involved. It also gives parents a voice throughout this process by allowing them to ask any questions that they have.

Although parental involvement when it comes to transition planning has proven to have an extremely beneficial impact when it comes to the student, there is still a big gap when it comes to involvement due to the many barriers and struggles listed above.

I feel that by having this open communication and getting the parents involved and informed as early as possible is the best start to this issue. Additionally, I feel that if parents and students were given more information and were better informed by the school regarding transitions in general, it would increase the amount of involvement.

When I have my own classroom, I will make sure that the parents will be involved from the first day. I will ensure that there is open communication between both parties and tell parents that if they have any questions do not be afraid to ask. I will also ensure that there is ample information available for parents and students who are confused about anything and need some clarification.