EDSP 610

EDSP 610: Building Capacity for Effective Transition in Grades 6-12

Credit Hours: (3)

Current school administrators, central office personnel, and special educators grades 6-12 are prepared with the background knowledge and skills necessary to develop and foster collaborative inclusive educational environments designed to facilitate positive postschool outcomes for individuals with disabilities through effective results-oriented transition planning, assessment, self-determination instruction, interagency collaboration, and application of available evidence-based and research-based resources. Services and supports are addressed to facilitate successful transition for students into postsecondary education, training, employment, and independent living.

 

Content

This graduate-level course prepares educators to design and implement effective, compliant transition plans for students with disabilities in accordance with federal special education law and guidance from the Virginia Department of Education. Emphasis is placed on developing transition-focused Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), using evidence-based practices, and improving outcomes in postsecondary education, training, employment, and independent living. The course highlights collaboration among educators, families, students, and community agencies, as well as the use of data aligned state and federal performance metrics to strengthen transition services across school divisions.

Topics include

Legal Foundations and Historical Perspectives
Examination of federal and Virginia-specific laws, policies, and historical developments that shape inclusive practices and transition services, including compliance requirements under special education law.

Evidence-Based and High Leverage Practices (HLPs)
Application of HLPs and evidence-based instructional strategies to support inclusive instruction and improve transition outcomes for students with disabilities.

Transition-Focused Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development
Design of measurable postsecondary goals and coordinated transition services within the IEP, emphasizing student involvement, family engagement, and interprofessional collaboration.

Assessment and Age-Appropriate Transition Planning
Use of age-appropriate transition assessments, including academic, career, and functional evaluations, to inform IEP development and individualized planning.

Postsecondary Outcomes and Interagency Collaboration
Preparation for postsecondary education, employment, and independent living through collaboration with families, adult service agencies, and community resources, including understanding agency roles and responsibilities.

Self-Determination, Student Voice, and Legal Considerations
Development of self-advocacy and self-determination skills, with attention to student rights, age of majority, guardianship, and informed decision-making.

Data-Based Decision Making and State Performance Plan Indicators
Analysis and application of data aligned to federally mandated metrics used to evaluate and improve special education transition services and student outcomes at the school and division level.

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Instructional strategies will include but are not limited to student development of materials, cooperative/group learning, case studies, self-paced instruction, oral and written communication, guest speakers, and lecture.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to

• Demonstrate knowledge of the historical perspectives, models, theories, and philosophies that inform transition practices and inclusion.
• Exhibit knowledge of how High Leverage Practices (HLPs), Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), and other inclusive evidence and research-based strategies strengthen transition planning and services, leading to positive and impactful postsecondary outcomes
• Demonstrate knowledge of transition-focused individualized educational programs developed in collaboration with team members, including varying professionals, the individual student as a self-advocate, and the family.
• Exhibit knowledge of how assessment, evaluation and other information is used to develop and implement transition within the Individualized Education Program.
• Demonstrate the ability to prepare students, work with families, and collaborate with stakeholders to provide successful student transitions throughout the educational experience to include postsecondary education, training, employment, and independent living with an understanding of agency resources, long-term planning, vocational assessments, career development, life skills, community experiences and resources, self-advocacy, and self-determination, age of majority, guardianship and legal considerations.
• Apply strategies to support self-determination and self-advocacy skills that support successful student transition into postsecondary life.
• Develop a transition action plan to address improvement of data and topics related to best practices in transition.

 

Assessment Measures

Assessment measures may include but are not limited to discussion boards, quizzes, projects, and a final action planning assignment to support school improvement and capacity building in a school or school division.

 

Other Course Information

None

 

Review and Approval

October 8, 2026.  Effective Fall 2027