Project KIT (Kids in Transition) Parent Notebook. A Process of Planning for Change. Revised.

Overview & Synopsis

Project KIT (Kids in Transition) of the Northern Trails Area Education Agency in Iowa assists in preparing for children's transition from early childhood special education programs to elementary regular/special education programs and transition from special education home intervention services to the preschool special education classroom. This parents' guide describes Project KIT's planning process, implemented through four parent meetings. The first meeting reviews Public Law 94-142, parents' rights in the special education process, and effects of transition on the family, and presents a transition planning timetable. The second meeting defines specific handicapping conditions, outlines special education program options available in Iowa, and describes the individualized education program. Meeting three focuses on parental responsibilities to: communicate information about the child to teachers, assess the child's readiness for kindergarten, be aware of possible transition problems and their solutions, and observe various program options to determine the best choice for their child. The fourth meeting concentrates on developing an effective home-school partnership, with tips for working cooperatively. An article reprint on improving home-school communication through sharing of daily reports is included. An appendix lists national and Iowa organizations for parents of handicapped children. (JDD)