In January, the US Department of Education released new guidance called Coordinating Transition Services and Postsecondary Access. This guidance builds on previous guidance from August 2020 and describes how state education agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies may work together to assist high school students with disabilities, including intellectual disability, who are transitioning out of high school and will potentially receive services as an adult.
This guidance clarifies that VR funds may be used to support students with intellectual disability in comprehensive transition and postsecondary (CTP) programs. The guidance also provides information about the conditions under which Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds may be used, such as in dual enrollment programs.
The expanded guidance includes questions and answers on numerous topics, such as:
- LEA responsibilities with regard to individualized education program (IEP) implementation related to transition services;
- Additional examples of transition services, which may include community experiences such as enrollment in postsecondary education programs;
- When and how transition services can be provided outside a student’s high school;
- How both IDEA and VR program funds can be used at the same time to support a student with a disability in postsecondary education
- VR program’s support for postsecondary education, including for those students who are dually enrolled in secondary and postsecondary educational programs.
This new guidance may help eliminate some misinterpretations of allowable use of VR funds as the guidance unequivocally addresses this critical question:
Is the VR program’s support of postsecondary education limited to associate or bachelor degrees?
Answer: No. Students, youth, and their families, with the assistance of the VR program as appropriate, should consider the wide array of postsecondary options that are available, including, but not limited to, two- and four-year colleges and universities, masters and doctoral degrees, career and technical schools, adult education programs, and comprehensive transition and postsecondary education programs.
Think College's Meg Grigal had this to say: "The mission of inclusive postsecondary education programs and vocational rehabilitation align very strongly; with both seeking to offer experiences and services to create and sustain paid employment outcomes for people with intellectual disability. This guidance could lead to stronger and more effective collaboration between higher education and VR practitioners ensuring students with intellectual disability have access to the funding and services needed to support more positive employment outcomes."
Want to learn more? Check out our Preparing for College resource page focused on supporting secondary transition from high school to college. The resources under the Transition Planning filter in our Resource Library may be helpful.
We have a web page dedicated to understanding VR, where you can find information and resources to understand how VR services and supports work to support students with intellectual disability in college will find helpful information on this page.
Are you a VR professional or already have a basic understanding of how VR works? You may find these more technical resources useful.