MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! YOUR OPINION MATTERS!
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services will be mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 8, 2021. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by May 21, 2021. The survey may also be completed online. Please look for details in your survey packet. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com
The Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) Transition Connections Academy was designed to provide additional learning opportunities, more importantly, work-based learning experiences (WBLEs) beyond students’ four years in high school. The Academy is open to students with significant cognitive disabilities working toward a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion, ages 18 to 21. Academy placement is an IEP team decision based on each student’s educational needs and level of independence.
The Academy was designed in collaboration with a variety of community partners to provide the best possible learning opportunities for students. Our partners include Carroll Community College, Carroll Hospital, McDaniel College, Division of Rehabilitation Services, local community rehabilitation providers, members of the Carroll business community, as well as local government and law enforcement agencies. These partnerships have correlated to post-school success in the areas of independent living, community participation, and employment for students of CCPS.
The Academy is composed of five seamless transition programs, aligned with evidence-based practices, and implemented to increase the number of youth actively engaged in post-secondary activities such as education, technical and career training, and employment after exiting CCPS. All programs focus heavily on enhancing independence and increasing students’ individual capacity in the areas of functional academics, independent living, self-determination/self-advocacy, career development and communication and social skills.
The use of technology, including a variety of light and high tech devices for communication, specialized software and apps for reading and written communication and using cell phones as tools, is integrated into each program to enable authentic communication and enhance independence. The anticipated outcome is competitive integrated employment for all students.