BISD Transition Services

Transition Services are defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 300.18, as “a coordinated set of activities for a student that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.”  The coordinated set of activities must:

(1) Be based upon the individual student’s needs, taking into account the student’s preferences and interests
(2) Include instruction, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, the acquisition of daily living skills and functional evaluation.”  National Transition Network, Parent Brief, Winter 1996

The transition coordinator for the Barry Intermediate School District (BISD) works with the high school teachers from Delton Kellogg Schools, Hastings Area Schools, and Barry Intermediate School District to assist their special education students in planning for life after secondary school.  The transition team looks at the student’s vision for their life and assists the student in making a plan for reaching that vision.  Student input, parental input, academic functioning, adaptive functioning, and transition assessments are used to develop that plan.

STAFF

Transition Coordinator

Dawn Weeks
Dawn has a B.S. in Special Education and Elementary Education as well as a MA in Special Education with an emphasis on Learning Disabilities from Grand Valley State University.  She has endorsements in Cognitive Impairments, Emotional Impairments, and Learning Disabilities and a Professional Education Certificate.  She taught special education in Delton Kellogg Schools for 9 years and was a member of the transition council for 2 years.  Dawn’s first year as Transition Coordinator at BISD was 2006.  You can reach Dawn by e-mail or at (269)945-9545 ext. 154.