IDEA Partnership Collaborative Work on Secondary Transition
NSTTAC Evidence-based Project
Guiding Principles
As the IDEA Partnership develops and shares materials, resources, and
research on secondary transition every effort is made to
1) speak to transition from secondary education to post-secondary life in the
broader context of support for all learners;
2) ensure non-duplication of stakeholder efforts and integration of relevant
existing initiatives, tools, and resources;
3) ensure inclusive treatment of materials, with federally vetted sources
clearly prominent and noted;
3) acknowledge and explain various perspectives without bias and provide
additional informational sources relevant to these different perspectives,
4) assist stakeholders in understanding the levels of evidence base* and
rationale; and
5) promote connections and encourage collaboration among stakeholders**
for context, depth, and sustainability.
* Levels of evidence base:
1) scientific research base - Education-related research that meets the following criteria
· Analyzes and presents the impact of effective teaching on achievement of
students
· Includes large numbers of students in the study
· Includes study and control groups
· Applies a rigorous peer review process
· Includes replication studies to validate results
2) research evidence base – Education-related research that is supported by relevant
scientific research studies; however, one or more of the above criteria for scientific
research base is not fully met, often the study group does not include large numbers of
students
3) experiential base – a strategy or curriculum has proven effective with a single student
or small groups of students, documentation by those implementing is available, scientific
research has not been conducted
**Stakeholders include all those who are concerned with secondary transition, e.g., youth and
families, school personnel, representatives of the business community, adult service
organizations and agencies, and higher education representatives
The following stakeholders worked together within the IDEA Partnership and
NSTTAC to create these guiding principles:
Role: Department of Education Consultant
Location: Arizona
Role: Special Education Administrator
Location: Illinois
Role: General Education Administrator
Location: Colorado
Role: Occupational Therapist
Location: North Carolina
Role: Transition Coordinator
Location: Colorado
Role: Technical Assistance Provider
Location: North Carolina
Role: Department of Education Consultant
Location: Delaware
Role: Educational Consultant
Location: Pennsylvania
Role: Educational Consultant
Location: Florida
Role: Transition Coordinator
Location: Pennsylvania
Role: Family Member
Location: Georgia
Role: Technical Assistance Provider
Location: Washington DC
Role: General Education Administrator
Location: Illinois
Role: Special Education Administrator
Location: Wisconsin
Role: Technical Assistance Provider
Location: Wisconsin