In a continuing effort to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education transition program staff is working to develop more local area transition teams around the state. In support of this effort, the third annual Arkansas Transition Summit is being held. The 2008 Arkansas Transition Summit: Focusing on What Matters in Arkansas, will be held February 6-7, 2008, at the Embassy Suites and Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The goals of the Summit are to: (1) build or enhance local-level, cross-disciplinary Transition Teams for improving post-school results for students with disabilities; (2) develop goals and action steps for local Transition Teams; and, (3) identify technical assistance needs of local Transition Teams.
Established teams, as well as newly formed teams, are encouraged to attend the Summit. Two areas of focus will be Interagency Collaboration and Student-Focused Planning. There are several general and breakout sessions related to these topics, as well as time reserved for team planning. It is expected that teams will leave the Summit with a plan to improve outcomes for students within the community or county.
To attend the Summit, school districts or community members must assemble a team of persons within the community or county. This team will become the local transition team for the community or county and will focus on areas of need within that community. Persons interested in forming a local transition team and attending the Transition Summit will need to assemble, at a minimum, the required team members noted in the attached team application. Others may be asked to serve on the team as well. The attached Local Transition Team Application and the Individual Registration Form must be completed and submitted by January 10, 2008, to attend the Summit. Contact Bonnie Boaz or the transition consultant for the region if assistance is needed in assembling a team.