W. Va. Code R. § 126-69-5

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-69-5 - Transition Services

5.1. Transition Specialists are located across the state and assist school-aged juveniles with transition services, including but not limited to, transition from the facility back into the local school, post-secondary training, and employment. Transition specialists work cooperatively with counties and build partnerships to foster better outcomes for transitioning students. Transition specialists also collaborate with the host agency to establish permanency goals for students.

5.1.a. Transition outcomes shall be tracked using data collection to ensure the educational achievement of each student. Data collection shall be monitored monthly containing key elements, including but not limited to: number of days enrolled, credits earned, Option Pathway, Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) diploma, employment, and enrollment in post-secondary or job training. Students shall be monitored for one-year post-discharge.

5.2. The juvenile center education program shall establish and implement written procedures for the immediate transfer of student records from the school of origin to the institution, from the institution to the school of origin, and from institution to institution. Procedures will include a protocol for ensuring the confidentiality of school records when sent or received.

5.2.a. Upon request from WVSDT staff, the school of origin shall promptly transfer student records to a juvenile facility.

5.3. Each county shall cooperate with the WVSDT in providing an adequate and appropriate education for students in placement. Students in transition from placement to the local school must be placed into the public school environment relevant to the student's programmatic and behavioral level. These students must be given equal access to educational programs and services. If alternative education placement has been selected, justification must be provided to the Transition Specialist unless this placement was recommended in the transition plan. Cooperation shall include, but is not limited to, the:

1) transfer of students' educational records in an expeditious manner upon request by WVDE staff;

2) development of a plan of transition, support, and integration at the receiving school to assure optimum conditions for enrollment;

3) acceptance of credits earned toward graduation upon documentation that completed coursework meet WVBE requirements;

4) inclusion of WVSDT staff in opportunities to participate in planned in-services and professional learning activities;

5) provision of technical assistance, upon request, from regional WVSDT staff; and,

6) development of mutual agreements to access needed services for students.

5.3.a. The plan of transition, support, and integration shall be developed by, at a minimum, the school counselor, school principal or designee, Transition Specialist, and/or parents/guardians. Other entities, including but not limited to, social services, residential providers, and/or the judiciary, may be involved in plan development.

5.4. WVSDT shall distribute a report template and annually collect results from counties regarding students who transfer back from out-of-home placements. The WVSDT and counties shall work cooperatively to ensure that transferring students are appropriately placed upon their return and that these students have access to the appropriate equitable opportunities and programming.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-69-5