Fwd: Making the Most of Transition IEPs

[Anne Ward]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund <p...@dredf.org>
Date: Thu, Dec 11, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Subject: Making the Most of Transition IEPs
To: <capv...@gmail.com>

Understand the new law about Transition IEP conversations, and learn what transition should look like when students reach high school and beyond.

State Testing and Students with Disabilities
View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/dredf/special-edition-december-2025?e=fd77f8a24c)
February 2023
Tip: Before you agree to have your child take alternative state assessments, or opt them out of state testing completely, consider whether the data might help you advocate for more individualized services, supports, and inclusion.


** State Testing and Students with Disabilities
------------------------------------------------------------

The ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) is a federal education law that requires states to develop achievement standards for English Language Arts Math, and Science by grade level, and give yearly standardized tests starting in third grade to measure whether students are meeting them. These tests do not only track individual student progress - they provide important equity and achievement data to public schools, districts and states. The results compare students across different groups and track the effectiveness and quality of the instruction our schools are providing.

Making sure that students with disabilities are included and provided with the accommodations (accommodations should be documented in the student's IEP or 504 plan) they need to show what they are learning is part of how we hold states and schools accountable. In California (every state has its own policies), a student can be exempted from state testing if:
* The parent/guardian gives the school a request to exclude their child IN WRITING (required every year)

* The student is an English learner and has been in a U.S. school for less than 12 months

* The student has an IEP AND is approved to take an alternative assessment (such as the California Alternate Assessment or CAA).

State Testing in California | Education Advanced, Inc. (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=ad3892b1a4&e=fd77f8a24c)

Although there are ongoing debates about the value of state testing, and we encourage every family to make the decision that is right for their child, these assessment results can be useful and help families advocate more effectively for students with, or suspected of having a disability. They provide information families can use to measure their child's progress and to identify areas where the student may need more appropriate support or services or where the school may be falling short in implementing the IEP or 504 Plan. For example, a student with severe test anxiety may do poorly on these tests, despite meeting all classroom expectations, which may indicate a need for help learning self-calming skills, or accommodations to help decrease stress during tests.

Families sometimes worry that grades alone don't accurately reflect their child's learning because the school reports show their child is doing well, but they have concerns and have requested an evaluation for special education or other services. Sometimes a parent is concerned that because their child has been moved to a more segregated school setting such as a special day class or non-public school, they are not being taught to high expectations or exposed to the diversity and expectations of a general education classroom and state testing results can support this. And test results may show patterns of lower achievement for some groups of students based on income level, race/ethnicity, limited English, foster care status, or disability, which is important equity information for families, educators, and law makers so that they can advocate for systemic improvements and adequate funding in public schools.

For students with significant cognitive disabilities eligible for special education, the California Alternative Assessment (CAA) is an option. Only one percent of students can be given this alternate test (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=d2b7b575bf&e=fd77f8a24c) . It is not meant for most students with a disability, or even for every student with an intellectual disability. The decision about whether a student should take the CAA is an IEP team decision with very specific requirements and considerations. It should never be pre-checked in a draft IEP (Alternate Assessment Decision-Making Tool for California (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=46df51650c&e=fd77f8a24c) ). The decision CANNOT be made only based on:
* Disability category, educational environment, or instructional setting

* Instructional reading level

* Expected poor performance on the general education assessment

* Administration decision or anticipated impact of student scores on the accountability system

* Anticipated disruptive behavior or emotional distress

* Poor attendance or extended absences

* English learner designation or other social, cultural, or economic difference

* Need for accommodations (such as assistive technology or augmentative and alternative communication) to participate in the general assessment

These safeguards are meant to ensure that schools do not lower expectations or exempt disabled students from state testing rather than provide them with the support and services they need to meet state standards. Most of our students, across all areas of disability, can graduate from high school and earn a regular high school diploma. In California, there is a new alternative path to a high school diploma for students eligible to take the CAA (it is not required that they take the test in 11th grade, but the IEP must determine if they are eligible to do so).

If you need help thinking through these alternatives or have other questions, reach out to your Parent Training  and Information center. There is at least one in every state and territory. Services are free.


** Resources on State Testing:
------------------------------------------------------------
* Alternative Assessment and IDEA AAAS Participation | NCEO (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=b1bfea3ea4&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Sec. 300.160 Participation in assessments - IDEA | US Department of Education (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=a005659710&e=fd77f8a24c)

* CAAs for ELA and Mathematics Fact Sheet | CA Department of Education (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=15fb692d1e&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Parent/Guardian's Guide to the CAA | CA Department of Education (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=a19c7a246b&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Alternate Assessment Decision-Making Tool for California | CA Department of Education (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=1ca32c2815&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Alternate assessments: What you need to know |Understood.org (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=ee4475f698&e=fd77f8a24c)

* What is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)? | Understood.org (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=a71f6b6361&e=fd77f8a24c)

* California's New Pathway to a High School Diploma for Students with Intellectual Disabilities | Undivided (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=2c01198355&e=fd77f8a24c)

* California's New Pathway to a Diploma: Advice for Parents (VIDEO) (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=2003916d69&e=fd77f8a24c)

* A New Pathway to a High School Diploma - Laws, Regulations, & Policies (CA Dept of Education) (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=8b1564d320&e=fd77f8a24c)


** General Resources:
------------------------------------------------------------
* Find Your Parent Center | Center for Parent Information and Resources (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=589cd8f76e&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Sample Letters and Forms | Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=d1ee45d09b&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Trainings | Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=7c61c56585&e=fd77f8a24c)

* SERR – Special Education Rights and Responsibilities | Disability Rights California (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=d0113390d2&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Special Education Timelines | Disability Rights California (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=0c79800a62&e=fd77f8a24c)

* 17 Special Education Advocacy Tips | Disability Rights California (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=c70db51a9a&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Special Education Basics Toolkit | Disability Rights California (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=bcde1f6302&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Key Terms to Know in Special Education | Center for Parent Information and Resources (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=3e855317e5&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Questions Often Asked by Parents about Special Education Services | CPIR (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=b6d6b64c4e&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Video Guide: Advocacy options in education | Disability Rights California (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=b3b42c96f8&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Special Education and Your Child: FAQs for Multilingual Families | NEA (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=8539e4db55&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Key Definitions in IDEA - A Reference List | Center for Parent Information and Resources (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=9b924475eb&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Parents' Rights - Quality Assurance Process | CA Dept of Education (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=6933cc93e7&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Special Education and Your Child: FAQs for Multilingual Families | NEA (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=ff927775b8&e=fd77f8a24c)

* Common accommodations and modifications in school - Understood (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=bf8551f821&e=fd77f8a24c)


** Upcoming Online Trainings (Using Zoom)
------------------------------------------------------------
Special Education Conflict Resolution

Date: March 11, 2024
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm PT

Registration is required ↓
Registration Link (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=49c89636c6&e=fd77f8a24c)

Interpretation/Accommodations: If you need accommodations to participate in any of our training or presentations, please contact hm...@dredf.org (mailto:hm...@dredf.org) or call 510 644-2555 as soon as possible. We generally need 10 days to arrange these, and we want to make sure you are included!

Note: We offer all our DREDF Special Education training in Spanish and post other training that may be of interest where we are participating but not hosting on our website as well. Visit DREDF's Special Education Trainings page (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=6a4d3dc378&e=fd77f8a24c) for more information.

Need to talk with an Education Advocate? To contact the PTI, call 510-644-2555, ext. 5227, or email us at iep...@dredf.org (mailto:iep...@dredf.org) . The education advocates at DREDF's Parent Training & Information Center (PTI) are available to answer calls and emails though there may be delays due to the needs of staff working from home. Thank you for your understanding!


** Acronyms/Glossary:
------------------------------------------------------------

ADR — Alternative Dispute Resolution. An informal way of settling disagreements directly with the school or district.

FAPE — Free Appropriate Public Education.

IDEA — Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The federal law that creates special education rights for students and youth with disabilities 0-22.

IEP — Individualized Educational Program. A legal document that explains how a school will meet the disability-related needs of a student eligible for special education.

LEA — Local Education Agency.  Public Schools including Charter Schools, County Schools.

LRE — Least Restrictive Environment. The requirement in federal law that students with disabilities receive their education, to the maximum extent appropriate, with non-disabled students and that special education students are not removed from regular classes unless, even with special education support, education in regular classes doesn't meet their needs.

NOTICE OF PARENT RIGHTS/PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS — Important safeguards that protect the rights of parents and disabled students. Also, give families and school systems several mechanisms through which to resolve their disputes. Parental Rights under IDEA (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=1556969640&e=fd77f8a24c) summarizes these safeguards.

PTI — Parent Training and Information Centers are places families can get free help to understand their student with a disability's education rights and learn to use them effectively.

SELPA — Special Education Local Plan Area (CA only).


** Join Us in Celebrating Our Work
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
------------------------------------------------------------

Your support helps sustain our ability to ensure that the rights of children and adults with disabilities are protected under the law, and that the good fight goes on. Every gift of moral and material support means the world to us. Please consider making an end-of-year donation to DREDF (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=7cc90e65ec&e=fd77f8a24c) .

Do you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)? You could get a #CalEITC tax credit if you file your taxes. You can use this money to pay for…

🚗  Gas

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See if you qualify at CalEITC4Me.org (https://dredf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=67c20e4974&e=fd77f8a24c) .
CONTACT the PTI at DREDF:
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