RATIONALE

Many students with significant disabilities remain in high school until they are 21 or 22 years old. This means that they are often receiving services in classrooms with much younger students. While some schools offer different educational services to students over 18, many school systems continue to educate these students in the same classes with the same curricula that they have had since age 14. This assessment can help personnel determine if there is a need to provide students with significant disabilities who are 17 or older with different educational services and supports. Additionally, it may identify the need to provide students with greater access to community environments, inclusive experiences, and additional employment options. In some cases, this assessment may determine that students would benefit from receiving their final years of public schooling in a postsecondary setting such as a college or community environment.