New Marion High program helps special education students succeed after high school

MARION — Marion High School students entitled to special education services will soon get access to services that will help them after high school.

It’s part of a new partnership with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services Transition Alliance Program.

Last month, the Marion Board of Education approved two new positions for the high school to support the increase in the number of students entitled to special education services — a Transition Alliance Program specialist and transition center teacher coordinator for the 2022-23 school year.

Mackenzie Isaacson, professional learning community leader for special education at Marion High School, said the services are an “awesome way” for the district to continue growing the ways staff are working with students.

“It’s going to help kids build the skills they need to get and maintain a job,” Isaacson said.

The Transition Alliance Program is a 50-50 cost-share agreement with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. It provides individualized attention for students up to age 25 for career and educational opportunities.

Holly Mateer, rehabilitation supervisor with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, said across the state students in this program are exceeding expectations beyond their peers without disabilities, graduating on time and earning a higher wage.

“The goal is to develop positive work skills in order to obtain and maintain competitive employment,” Mateer said.

The transition center teacher coordinator will provide services to students who continue secondary education past four years of high school. The center will serve students with low incidence disabilities that have intensive needs and unmet goals in the areas of living, learning and working at the end of their high school career. Students will walk at graduation with their classmates and receive their diploma when they have exited the Marion transition center program.

Goals of the transition center are to:

Marion Independent Assistant Superintendent Gretchen Kriegel said the number of students in the district entitled to special education services is growing rapidly as more students move in to the district who need these services.

At Marion High School, 54 students are currently entitled to special education services. The district projects this number to grow to 71 by the 2022-23 school year and 90 by the 2023-24 school year.

“We don’t want our kids just to receive a diploma,” Kriegel said. “We want to ensure they’re ready for the next step.”

Marion High School Principal Greg Semler said the district has a “strong pool of candidates” they’re considering for the jobs.

Program in C.R.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District added a Transition Alliance Program during the 2018-19 school year and is seeing students succeed.

Kelsey Teeter, Transition Alliance Program facilitator for Cedar Rapids schools, works directly with local businesses to help students get started in their chosen career.

These students can receive job coaching, job shadows, workplace tours and externships where an employer trains an employee at no cost to them. The employee’s wages are paid for by Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Teaching self-advocacy is an important part of the Transition Alliance Program to help students be successful after high school, Teeter said. When starting a job or postsecondary education, students might need to request disability accommodations or need extra support while training, she said.

Jodee Beck, Cedar Rapids schools’ associate director of special services, said more students are finding a postsecondary pathway they’re passionate about as a result of the Transition Alliance Program.

“It allows students to take risks knowing we can still support them after high school to help them find the right pathway,” Beck said.

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