Program Overview

M.Ed. Special and Inclusive Education (SIE): EDUSIE4 - Planning Transitions for Students with Disabilities

Course Description

This course provides students with specialized knowledge regarding the transitions of students with disabilities. Students develop in-depth knowledge of current theories, research, models, assessments, practices, and planning that guide the transition process within the context of countries that mandate transition planning and within the context of the UAE. Students critically analyze and reflect on cultural norms and current practices in transition as they develop recommendations for practitioners and policy-makers for students who transition from early intervention programs to preschool, between schools, and from Cycle Three to adulthood and work.

Course Structure

The course is structured into 13 weeks, with each week focusing on a specific aspect of planning transitions for students with disabilities.

Week 1: Introduction to Transition Planning

• Required Reading: Federal Law No. (29) of 2006 Concerning the Rights of People of Determination
• Introduction to the rights of people of determination in the UAE

Week 2: Current Challenges in Special Education

• Required Reading: Hadidi, M. S., & Al Khateeb, J. (2015). Special education in Arab Countries: Current challenges.

Week 3: Transition Assessment Planning

• Required Reading: Introduction to Transition Assessment Planning Guide

Week 4: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Adulthood

• Required Reading: Florida Department of Education: Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services (2004). Dare to dream for Adults.

Week 5: Transition Preparation for Children with Disabilities

• Required Reading:
  • Pinkerton, D. (2018). Preparing children with disabilities for school.
  • Quintero, N. & McIntyre, L. L. (2011). Kindergarten transition preparation: A comparison of parent practices for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
  • Roebuck, R., & Coultes-MacLeod (2011). Connections: A guide to transition planning for parents of children with a developmental disability.

Week 6: Research and Future Directions in Transition Services

• Required Reading:
  • Rous, B. S. & Hallam, R. A. (2012). Transition services for young children with disabilities: Research and future directions.
  • Rosekotter, S. E., Whaley, K. T., Hains, A. H., & Pierce, L. (2001). The evolution of transition policy for young children with special needs and their families: Past, present and future.

Week 7: Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment

• Required Reading:
  • NSTTAC (nd.). Age appropriate transition assessment guide.
  • Mattis, J. (n.d.). Assessment for transition planning and preparation: Part one.
  • Mattis, J. (n.d.). Assessment for transition planning and preparation: Part two.

Week 8: Transition Assessment and Planning

• Required Reading:
  • NSTTAC (nd.). Age appropriate transition assessment guide.
  • Mattis, J. (n.d.). Assessment for transition planning and preparation: Part one.
  • Mattis, J. (n.d.). Assessment for transition planning and preparation: Part two.

Week 9: Transitioning to Middle School

• Required Reading:
  • AMLE (2018). Transitioning young adolescents from Elementary to Middle school: Research Summary.
  • Wasserman, L. (2005). Transitioning to middle school for students with Learning Disabilities.

Week 10: Transition Planning for High School

• Required Reading:
  • Letrello, T., & Miles, D. D. (2003). The transition from middle school to high school: Students with and without disabilities.
  • Pacer Center, Inc. (2018). Middle and High school transition planning.

Week 11: Transition Assessments

• Required Reading: Cline, R., Halverson, d., Petersen, B., Rohrbach, B. (2005). Quickbook of transition assessments.

Week 12: Preparing Students for Post-School Life

• Required Reading:
  • Levinson, E. M., & Palmer, E. J. (2005). Preparing students with disabilities for school-to-work transition and post-school life.
  • Henry, A. D., Petkauskos, K., Stanislawyk, J., & Vogt, J. (2014). Employer-recommended strategies to increase opportunities for people with disabilities.
  • Welchons, L. W., & McIntyre, L. L. (2017). The transition to kindergarten: Predicting socio-behavioral outcomes for children with and without disabilities.

Week 13: Disabilities in the Workplace

• Required Reading: "DISABILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE" SURVEY: EMPLOYEES WITH A VISIBLE DISABILITY REPORT GREATER WORK SATISFACTION THAN THOSE WITH A NON-VISIBLE DISABILITY

Resources

• e-Journals:
  • Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals
  • Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling
  • Journal of Learning Disabilities
  • Learning Disability Quarterly
  • Insights on Learning Disabilities
  • Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal
  • British Journal of Learning Disabilities
  • Learning Disabilities Research and Practice
  • Learning Disabilities – A Contemporary Journal
  • Australian Journal of Learning Disabilities
  • Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties
  • Learning Disability Practice