Federal Questions & Answers on Secondary Transition

The federal Office of Special Ed & Related Services (OSERS) has updated the "Q and A: Questions and Answers on Secondary Transition. http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cdynamic%2CQaCorner%2C10%2C

Most of the questions pertain to the Summary of Performance (SOP) document: 1. What is the purpose of the Summary of Performance (SOP) , "a summary of the child's academic achievement and functional performance, which shall include recommendations on how to assist the child in meeting the child's postsecondary goals"? 2. What information is required & what information would be helpful to include in the SOP? 3. Does a general educational development credential (GED) or alternate diploma trigger the creation of an SOP? 4. Is a public agency required to include in the SOP the documentation necessary to determine a student's eligibility for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services program &/or accommodations in institutions of higher education? 5. How can the SOP assist the VR Services program in the provision of transition services to eligible VR students with disabilities?

Documents in the IDEA Q&A series are prepared by OSERS to address high-interest topics. Generally, the questions & answers require interpretation of the IDEA & its regulations & are not simply a restatement of the statutory or regulatory requirements. Although the responses represent the Department's current thinking on this topic, they are not legally binding.

The Summary of Performance document is a confusing document to schools and parents. If done well this document can assist students, other agencies and potential employers in the process of transitioning to postsecondary goals.