FEATURED RESOURCE PAPERS

• It Doesn't Take a Rocket Scientist! [1]
  http://www.heath.gwu.edu/node/685 [2]

  HEATH is pleased to bring you the 12th edition of the Rural Institute publication, "It Doesn't Take a Rocket Scientist," written by Roger Shelley, Marsha Katz and David Hammis while working at the University of Montana Rural Institute in Missoula, MT [3]. "Rocket Science" is an introduction to the various work incentives available as part of the SSI and SSDI programs. Hopefully this introduction will encourage people with disabilities to gain personalized information about the impact of work on their benefits. Personalized information is available from every state's Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICS), as part of the SSA-funded Work Incentive Planning and Assistance grants (WIPA).
  You can find the CWICs/WIPAs in your state at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/ServiceProviders/WIPADirectory.html [4]
  and you can find more of the Rural Institute's various SSI/SSDI resources at http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/training/publications.asp [5].

  In addition there is a great deal of information on Social Security's website at www.socialsecurity.gov [5].

• Opening Doors to Postsecondary Education and Training: Planning for Life After High School [6]
  http://dpi.state.wi.us/sped/pdf/tranopndrs.pdf [7]

  Wisconsin State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster introductory statement to students who read "Opening Doors" states, "...postsecondary education is an integral piece of a quality education... This “Opening Doors” handbook has been created to assist you, your parents, school counselors, and others on your IEP team in planning for your postsecondary experience. It includes information to help you understand your strengths and identify the support and resources you will need to be successful at the postsecondary level. In addition, this handbook will help you develop advocacy skills so you can take advantage of the time you are in high school to plan your transition to postsecondary education."

  You may learn more about Wisconsin's Transition Services for Students with Disabilities by visiting: http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/transition.html [8]

• High School Reform: Integration of Special Education [9]
  By Eve Müller and Paula Burdette (December 2007). Republished with permission from Project Forum http://www.projectforum.org/index.cfm [10]

  This document describes high school reform in three states and efforts to include special education in the high school reform process at both state and local levels. Project Forum at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) conducted this analysis as part of its cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Fact Sheets

• Transition Websites Directory [11]
  http://www.heath.gwu.edu/node/684 [12]
  This directory was composed by students in Dr. Lynda West’s Special Education Course: 236, Introduction to Career, Vocational and Transition Services, The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education & Human Development.




• Summer 2008 Pre-College Programs [13]
  http://www.heath.gwu.edu/node/724 [14]
  HEATH is pleased to present its annual listing of summer pre-college programs across the nation. HEATH thanks intern, Anne Molloy, M.A. who compiled this list as a resource for students with disabilities who are seeking ways to prepare for college and enhance college performance.