The FFCS Special Program’s Office is involved in a project with The Program on Employment and Disability’s Transition Training and Technical Assistance Center at Cornell University. This involvement will result in a $1,000 grant for the district. 

Earlier in the year, a transition team was selected to work on this project. The team members include Michael Fraser, school psychologist; Glenn Clairmont, Paula Carnival and Julie Blanchard, guidance counselors; Timothy DeAngelis, high school English teacher; Art Dockerty and Sarah Luft, high school special education teachers; Michael Bushey, middle school special education teacher and team leader; Deborah Oertel, middle school special education teacher; Donna Egelston, parent and business person; and Carol Steiger, parent. 

The team conducted a district self assessment on quality indicators for transition programs. With the survey results in hand, the team attended a workday with representatives from the Center. The team developed a strategic plan for improving services to our students as they transition from high school to post-secondary education and/or employment.

The plan the team submitted to the Center focuses on the responsiveness of academics, life skills, vocational evaluation/preparation and work experience to local economic conditions and the diversity of the district’s students. The team intends to identify and implement vocational assessments and experience portfolios that track student skill development and career aspirations from middle school to high school. This information will help students make informed decisions about their futures. The seed money will purchase the portfolios and filing cabinets needed to implement the plan this spring.

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