Slide 1:SELF DETERMINATION


Activity 1: Am I Advocating for Myself? :Activity 1: Am I Advocating for Myself?


Slide 4:IDEA requires that from the age of 14 transition needs and services should be addressed on a student's IEP and goals related to these services be based on student needs, interests, and preferences.


Slide 5:Students need repeated opportunities to practice their self determination skills (their needs, wants, their preferences) in a supportive environment. The supportive environment consist of and should be taught by parents and educators.


Slide 6:The process whereby an individual becomes more independent in: Understanding personal needs and wants Planning and following through on action plans to meet goals Learning problem-solving skills Self-determined individuals know what they want and how to get it. They advocate for their own needs and interests. What is Self Determination (S.D.)?


Principles of Self Determination :Principles of Self Determination SELF DETERMINED AUTHORITY FREEDOM SUPPORT RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY CONTROL DREAM


What does Self Determination mean to our students? :What does Self Determination mean to our students? Knowing their rights Standing up for their rights Taking responsibility for their actions Asking for help because they need and want it


What does Self Determination mean to parents? :What does Self Determination mean to parents? Encouraging their children to ask questions and express their opinions Modeling a positive self image and self esteem Creating and promoting opportunities to be responsible Providing opportunities for choices and decision making


What does Self Determination mean to Educators? :What does Self Determination mean to Educators? Teach generalized S.D skills and attitudes. Realize that S.D. is a function of the interaction between students skills and the opportunities provided by their environments. Assessments and lessons must be designed to focus on the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and beliefs


Self Determination Resources :Self Determination Resources Career Clusters & Interest Surveys Career Exploration Skills for the Workplace Budgeting Teacher’s Guide Free Publication – DOE


Slide 12:SIMPLY Careers! A Guide for Persons Involved in Transition Assessments Career Planning and Decision Making Tools Free Publication – DOE -


Slide 13:Dare to Dream Revised A Guide to Planning Your Future Dare to Dream Adults A Guide to Planning Your Future Covers all areas of Transition Simple Interest Inventories Includes Career Pathway and Supports Upon completion student would have his/her Transition Statement – IEP Free Publication - DOE Modified Version available


Slide 14:“Teaching Self-Determination in Alaskan Schools: A Toolkit for Teachers” Activities, Resources, Lessons, Checklist, Speak Up Guides, Assessment Guide Lines


Teaching a Student to Self Advocate :Teaching a Student to Self Advocate Set personal goals Emphasize the link between goals that students set and the daily decisions and choices they make, and teach them to break long-term goals into short-term objectives. Lesson Plan/Activity: S.D. Tool Kit - Goal Setting - Discussion and Role-Plays - Setting Short and Long-Term Personal Goals Dare To Dream Career Cruiser Simply Careers


Slide 16:Self Advocate cont’d Make appropriate choices based on personal preferences and interest Encourage students to make decisions that affect their day-to-day activities Lesson Plan/Activity: S.D. Tool Kit - Interest and Abilities What Makes You – You? Getting to Know You Dare To Dream Career Cruiser Simply Careers


Self Advocate cont’d :Self Advocate cont’d Solve problems that act as barriers to achieving these goals Identify a problem, gather information, consider advantages and disadvantages, choose and implement the solution. Lesson Plan/Activity: S.D. Tool Kit Choices Choice-making/Consequences Problem-Solving / Decision-Making Dare To Dream Career Cruiser Simply Careers


Self Advocate cont’d :Self Advocate cont’d Planning for the near and distant future Facilitate the career/job investigative process. Promote career exploration, interest surveys and inventories. Accessing community resources. Lesson Plan/Activity: S.D. Tool Kit What is Personal Futures Planning? Futures Planning Charts “Personal Profile” Dare To Dream Career Cruiser Simply Careers


Activity II – Case Studies :Activity II – Case Studies


Best Practices Promoting S.D. :Best Practices Promoting S.D. Promote active involvement in educational planning and decision-making. Teach students to direct their own learning. Communicate high expectations and emphasize student strengths and uniqueness. Create a learning community that promotes active problem solving and choice opportunities.


Best Practices cont’d :Best Practices cont’d Create partnerships with parents and students to ensure meaningful involvement. Make available self determined role models Create opportunities for choice Utilize responses to student behavior that encourage responsibility and foster motivation, self esteem and creativity. Infuse S. D. in every aspect of the day!!!!