Teacher tips: How to write an effective transition page for an IEP

A distraught mother approached the high-school guidance counselor concerned about her son with special needsҀ desire to become a doctor. Knowing the goal was beyond his achievement, the guidance counselor promised to talk with Bobby.

After having the child reiterate his desire to be doctor, the guidance counselor asked him what he liked about being a doctor.  Bobby stated that he liked to wear a white coat, he loved hospital food and he loved visiting the patients. The guidance counselor set up a training program with the local hospital to teach him how to deliver meals.  He received a full-time job upon graduating from high school and remains employed after many years.

This is the essence of transition planning.

A child transitioning from high school to adult life is the culminating event of Special Education.  Children with disabilities lag behind their peers in secondary school and are less likely to be employed.  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 clarifies CongressҀ intended outcome for each child with a disability: children must be provided a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that prepares them for further education, employment and independent living.  All transition education and instruction should begin by 16 years of age (earlier in some states.)  

The transition plan is part of the individualized education plan (IEP) required by the federal government for each student enrolled in a special education program in public schools.  It gives the opportunity for all stakeholders to come together to ensure progress in related areas.  These stakeholders are the parents, the teacher, the guidance counselor, related services and, of course, the child.  An invitation to the child to attend the IEP meeting is mandatory but they can decline to come.

IDEA has three very clear goals that must be accomplished in designing the transition plan:

Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the childҀs movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment); continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation; Is based on the individual childҀs needs, taking into account the strengths, preferences, and interests; and Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

Writing goals for a transition plan must be measurable to track the progress the child makes. An example of this would be (referring to the example above) successfully completing training, by a specific time, at the hospital; or the child learning how to take the bus from home to work, by a specific time. It must be results oriented to progress to independent living. These goals can be adjusted at subsequent IEP meetings to accommodate progress.

Bobby was sure about his interests but a little unrealistic about his strengths.  With some guidance he was able to become a happy, productive employee.  This demonstrates the need for the childҀs input along with recommendations from other stakeholders.

Related services include Vocational Rehabilitation, on-the-job training, anger management or anything that is required.  This resource is generally outside of the schoolҀs authority and one of the community partners.  In BobbyҀs example, it was a training program that the local hospital provided.

A successful transition plan requires all the stakeholders participating in the childҀs future.   The transition plan transcends the academic responsibilities in propelling a well-adjusted child into adulthood.

How to deal with education loans after school

Well, When someone reaches graduation usually wants to get rid of student debt as fast as possible in order to move on to another stage of his financial life. However, this is not always an easy task. Student debt accumulates and prevents graduated students from repaying the whole debt in a speedy manner. Sometimes students spend years paying just the interests on their loans while the principal remains intact.

Moreover, student loans usually have a mere 6 month grace period after graduation that lenders seem to think is enough time for someone to get a permanent job and a steady income. This is not always true; in fact, it takes far more than that to find a job. And those lucky enough to get hired within this period, usually get part-time jobs or temporary jobs which do not provide a good enough income to meet the loans' installments.

#Student Consolidation Loans

This situation forces students to resort to student consolidation loans so they can reduce the amount of their monthly payments and if possible reduce the amount of money paid on interests too. Furthermore the sole reduction of the number of outstanding loans cuts hundreds of dollars on administrative fees that are usually charged separately (though sometimes included in the interest rate).

Student Consolidation loans help by reducing the monthly payments; however, they will not speed up the debt reduction process unless you undertake other measures in order to boost their effects. There are many additional actions you can take in order to start eliminating debt more quickly so you can become debt free in a few years.

#Cut On Unnecessary Expenses And Postpone Costly Actions

Till you find a permanent job, you can aid your debt reduction process by cutting on redundant expenses such as dinning out, attending to clubs every weekend, etc. Also, it will not kill you to keep sharing an apartment till you can afford rent on your own while managing to pay for your loan at the same time.

Basically, unless after paying for your loan monthly installment you have enough money to cover for any unexpected event, do not get into more unnecessary expenses and use the money to pay off the loan's principal sooner or build some savings for emergencies.

#Forbearances

Another option if you find yourself in a tight situation is to request your consolidation loan lender forbearance. Forbearance is a period of time during which the loan payments will be suspended. Make sure you use this time to solve whatever problem is preventing you from making your monthly payments and also to build some savings to cover for unexpected events in case this comes to happen again.

Most lenders offer forbearances only once a year and some of them only offer one in the whole life of the loan, so make sure you really need it before requesting this grace period. Otherwise if another unexpected event takes place you will not be able to use this tool and will have to resort to other finance sources worsening your debt problems.

How does online homeschooling work?

Online homeschooling has made teaching children at home much easier than before the Internet was available. The option of using online curriculum resources has made homeschooling cheaper than traditional methods while opening up more topics for children to explore and learn. There are a few different ways to utilize online homeschooling curriculum.

Online charter schools

One option for homeschooling online is to use a charter school. While there are private schools that offer this method, most of the charter schools are run by the state and offered for free. Most of these state-run programs provide a computer to the student to use while they are using the program. The student logs in to view his assignments for the day. Most of the assignments are completed on the website. Books and other material necessary to complete the assignments are provided for additional help. The student is allowed to do as much work as he is capable of. What doesn't get completed gets added to the next day's work load. If he completes his work, he is free to move on to the next day's assignments. This allows the student to work at his own pace.

Students who utilize a charter school have the ability to receive tutoring from teachers that work for the school. They receive evaluations and testing just like children in public schools. Some schools even have dances or other social gatherings for the students to attend, as well as graduation ceremonies and diplomas. Therefore, the child receives the same benefits as if she attended a public school while having the opportunity to learn at home.

Free or paid resources

While online charter schools are a great option, many parents choose not to use them. Instead, they subscribe to sites that offer lesson plans, such as Time4Learning or Monarch. The prices vary from one site to the next. Many parents save money by utilizing free resources online. One way to accomplish this is to take the time to locate resources to teach each subject. Homeschooling parents typically look for lessons as well as videos and hands-on activities to ensure the child receives a multi-sensory education. Others utilize websites that have gathered these resources and organized them into weekly lesson plans, such as Lesson Pathways.

There was a time, before the Internet, when parents who home educated had to pay high prices for boxed curriculum or work with the resources available at the public library. Now that almost everyone has access to a computer, online homeschooling has opened doors to more options and resources for homeschooling families. This presents parents with the opportunity to offer their children the best education possible from the comfort of their own home.

Back to school shopping survival guide

Back to school shopping can be quite stressful, especially if you have multiple children to shop for. There are so many items that children need for school that it can be difficult to keep track of all the items that you need to shop for. It is important that you supply your children with what they need for school without breaking your budget. You can make your back to school shopping less stressful so that you can focus on getting your children prepared for the new school year. With careful planning, you could even save yourself some money by shopping the sales.

First of all, you need to obtain a list of school supplies that you children will need, if available. Some schools with give their lists to local stores, or even have them available online. This typically applies to elementary aged children, but for middle school and high school it will all depend on what classes they are taking. In middle school and high school they will need a lot of notebooks, folders, pens, and a good back pack for general supplies. Some class specific items they may need would be art supplies or a scientific calculator.

Get exactly what is required on the list. Some schools get pickier and ask for certain brands and I would recommend that you abide by them, because they choose a specific brand for a reason, and it would be terrible if you had to purchase another one later on. For children who are in middle school and high school, you will want to make sure you purchase plenty of notebooks, filler paper, folders, pens and pencils. Math classes can require basic calculators or scientific calculators, which can be a large purchase. Check for sale on these types of items.

Make sure that your children have something to carry their items home with, such as a backpack. Most schools frown upon backpacks that have wheels on them, so you will want to stay away from them. This is a way to get your child excited for the back to school season is by bringing them to the store to shop with you, and allowing them to choose items in your price range. Bringing the items home for them can be discouraging in their eyes. Also shop early and shop sales. There are many items that you can get at huge discounts when you shop the weekly sales at your major retail stores such as Walmart and Target.

Start shopping for clothing and shoes shortly after they get out of school. If you want to shop for the best prices, the early bird gets the worm. Selections get terrible the closer to the school season it is, so shopping early really pays off. Set each child on a budget for school shopping, and let them know if they want that expensive pair of jeans, they are going to get less clothes. This also helps children learn how to spend money properly. Shop discount stores to maximize your savings.

Go to school orientation with your child. This will help them get pumped for the school season by seeing some of their old friends, and it may also calm a child's nerves when starting in a new school. You can help them find their classes and even meet their teachers. These tips will help you survive the back to school shopping and get your children off on the right feet.

Homeschool unit study - beginning money and economics

Teaching young children about money and economics is an important part of every education. This homeschool unit study is designed for young children in kindergarten or first and second grades. Not only does it teach the homeschool child to recognize and count both coins and paper money, it will teach them how to manage their money effectively.

Beginning economics homeschool unit study covers basic supply and demand, profits and loss, and budgeting.

Money and Economics Vocabulary

The homeschool unit study should include the names of monetary units such as penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar. Also include general finance terms like money, save, spend, and budget. Build the vocabulary and spelling list based on the grade level of your student.

Money and Economics Reading and Writing

Any library books about money or finances would be great for the homeschool unit study on money and finances. Some popular titles include: "The Coin Counting Book," "Funny Money," and "The Story of Money." Search the catalog at your local library for more. Any of these books would provide a great opportunity to write a basic fiction or non-fiction book report.

Your child might also like to read a book about the early systems of trade such as bartering, the National Mint where money is made, and stories about owning a shop or starting their own business. Writing a business plan for something simple like a lemonade stand is good practice.

Money and Economics Math Skills

When working with money and economics, math skills come into play a lot. While you can find money worksheets to print out for your homeschool unit study, it might be more fun to use real world examples. Go to a store and let your child add up the purchase prices to see what the total cost will be. Or set up a pretend store at home and your homeschool child can purchase toys or other items.

Money and Economics Arts and Crafts

The money and economics homeschool unit study can be rounded out by creating your very own piggy bank to save money in. Use a large plastic jar, four empty thread spools, a milk bottle top and some construction paper. Glue the spools on one side of the jar for the pig's legs. The milk bottle top should be glued onto the plastic jar lid as the pig's nose. Use the construction paper to make pig ears and a curly tail. A grown up can cut a slot in the top of the pig for the money to be put in.

Tips: Guide to the first steps for the homeschooling parent

Home Schooling - A Guide to the First Steps for the Home Schooling Parent

Schooling at home means learning and gain a certificate from home. The online education system makes it all more easier these days to do so. However there are some questions that you as a parent would  like answered before making your final choice

Q: What is schooling at home?
A: Schooling at home means, your child can study just like any other child at school would do with the exception that he/she study at home and "attending" classes by using the internet. This kind of education is getting very popular as it gives you some interesting options which are not available in regular academic system.

Q: What subjects are available for schooling at home?
A: Most of the subjects that are available today are taught on internet home schooling. The subjects include all normal subjects that are presented in a traditional public school. However, it is important to note that some subjects that require more practical exercises will require more effort and time as there is no tutor at hand while experiments are conducted.


Q: What is the difference between a home schooling at home and going to a public school?
A: There is not much difference between online home schooling and going to a public school. The major difference is that a home schooling student can get a certificate from a good academic institution without going to the school in person and it allows children form countries with not such acclaimed education system to study at a better school.  Home schooling on the internet is a very good solution for those children who may not be able to go to another country to obtain good quality education. It enables them to stay at home and still can earn certification from a good institution. This option is also much less costly, especially if you take traveling, and general living cost into account.

Q: Where can I get the information regarding to schooling at home?
A: You will get all the important information from the Internet. You make a search about schooling at home. You can be more specific by entering the specific location, and level of education that you are looking for. You will have various options to select the best option for your child's specific requirements.

Before you go for select a specific on line schooling site, make sure that it is authentic, accredited and certified by the authorities. Unfortunately there are many on line cheats that prey on students to earn an income in a fraudulent way.

Q: How to get yourself admitted for schooling at home?
A: You have to contact the home school provider and provide them with all the required information for admittance. The institution will then verify your details and inform you if you are accepted to study on line with them. Once selected,  they will provide you with information on how to move forward in order to complete the registration and payment process.

Q: Are there a difference in the value of a certificate obtained from a public school and home schooling?
A: There are no distinction between the value of a public school and home schooling certificate. However, this is said with the understanding that the institution you make use of is registered and acknowledged as an authentic educational institution with the relevant Department of Education.

Comparing homeschooling and traditional education

There are many different types of homeschooling methods used today. Each parent must decide which method or methods are best for their child. But, that can be a very difficult decision, when you don't know the difference. Once a parent understands the different homeschooling methods, they can make the decision for what will best suit their child.

Structured learning which is the most like a traditional school environment. Student's work out of texts at specified times. This is the first type that most parents implement.

 Unschooling is the opposite of structured learning. This form of schooling does not use lesson plans or textbooks. Unschooling is considered Ӏchild centered learningԀ, meaning they focus the learning around what the child is interested in. Unschoolers usually believe that each child's learning is different, and that learning occurs all of the time. Parents work individually with their children based on the child's interests.

 Eclectic learning is a mix of both, structured learning and Unschooling. Parents using this learning style do not feel bound to any particular style. They will often use texts for subjects such as Language Arts, Math, and Reading while other subjects may be more unstructured. The curriculum is generally a mix and match of what works best for the individual child. This is rapidly becoming more popular than any other type of homeschooling.

Virtual on-line homeschooling is where a child is enrolled in school, but participates on-line. Parents are provided with all the curriculum and access to a teacher. This method can sometimes be done for free via a charter or on-line public school, depending on your area.

Unit Studies are when a family uses one theme or literary text to incorporate most school subjects. Often times parents will use this method in combination with other methods. Unit studies can be done on just about anything from the Renaissance to the Milky Way Galaxy. Parents either purchase these or make their own. You can find various activities related your topic to fill as many school subjects as you wish.

Charlotte Mason method is using living books as texts. These parents use narration, copy work, dictation, and recitation as learning methods. This can encompass all subjects, or be used in combination with another method.

Teaching in a digital world

With the increase of parents choosing to remove their children from traditional public school classrooms, online education has seen a marked increase in popularity.

The number of charter schools and home school programs offering online programs continues to rise. To meet the need of students with medical needs and behavioral problems, some states have even begun offering online public education as an option for students who are not excelling in the physical classroom.

This increase in online education has brought about a demand for online teachers.

Online teaching isn't for everyone, but many teachers are finding enjoyment and benefits from exactly that.

Teachers who have recently retired or teachers who want to take time off from the everyday stress of the classroom are enjoying the freedom and flexibility an online schedule provides. While some online classrooms do require teachers to be present at certain days and times as in a traditional classroom, others allow teachers to set the syllabus for students and check online several times a day to answer questions or address concerns. Professionals teaching elementary and junior high students may find stricter scheduling requirements, whereas teachers teaching older high school and college students may find more flexibility with their schedules.

This type of digital teaching situation can be ideal for teachers who have a short or long-term disability, an extended illness, or need time off to take care of smaller children or an ailing parent.

Online teaching can also be beneficial for teachers who wish to take on a second job. If the requirements of the online teaching position aren't intense, an online teaching job can sometimes be worked around regular work hours. This also applies to online tutoring positions, where teachers may choose to tutor students online during evening hours to help with homework, research specific school projects, or develop math and writing skills.

Educational institutions vary on their practice for hiring online teachers. With some schools, the teacher may be an actual employee of the institution, but this will most probably not be the case. Many online teachers are independent contractors who are paid by the number of classes taught, the amount of students attending class, or time required to do the job. Independent contractors are usually required to provide their own equipment such as computer, web cam (if required), and internet connection.

As in the real world, teachers must have the correct certification required for their particular state. They also must keep up to date on continuing education. In order to become an online instructor, teachers usually must have a required number of years in a traditional classroom.

For many teachers, the biggest drawback to becoming a teacher in the digital world involves the emotional connection lost between the teacher and student. While a relationship can be formed online, it almost never matches the relationship the teacher forms with a student in a physical classroom.

As technology increases, it's becoming apparent the digital classroom is here to stay. The demand for digital education is likely to increase as people become more and more technically connected in a virtual world. Online teaching will most certainly be a part of future generations, providing an option for teachers looking for a traditional role in a non-traditional world.

Tips for participating in online classes

The Advantages of Online Education

Want to advance in your career or change career's all together? Then going back to school is a must. Trying to find the right school for you could be challenging. If you're like most people you have a job, a family and this means, no time! The advance's of computer technology has made college more convenient then ever. Online education is an option for the person who needs to advance in their career without the hassle of keeping a tight schedule.

The advantages of getting an online education start with the convenience of the program. With some programs you can learn at your own pace. You do your work, when you have time. (Some colleges offer online classes, but sometimes you still need to show up to a classroom.) There is no need to rush around making sure homework assignments are done and trying to get to class on time. Your home is your classroom.

Another advantage of online education would be the cost. Comparing online education cost to a community college was a big surprise to me. I started out searching the web for online schools. Then weeded out the ones that were either too expensive or didn't offer what I needed. After researching the online schools, I then researched the community colleges in the area. The cost was astronomical, the amount of money they wanted per credit hour was outrageous and I wasn't paying! With the online school I chose, I was able to choose my own down payment, my monthly payment or I could have paid in full with an incentive of thirty-five percent off my tuition. For me the online school was much more affordable.

The structure of the programs online is amazing. I have many available resources which include: An online library, counseling if you need it, the professor's are available to answer any questions you have about your studies, and customer service to help you with your account questions. The entire web site is very easy to use; it actually shows you how to use it. My exam grades are instant. Sometimes I have to e-mail them to my instructor, but the wait is never long. I always know how I'm doing with my lessons. I can look up any grade and my lesson average is always posted.

Going to school has never been so comfortable and convenient, everything is at my fingertips. It has been very satisfying knowing I am in control of my education and that I'll have another skill added to my resume. Online education is absolutely wonderful for the person who doesn't have the time to follow a difficult college schedule and wants to save money.