Why Transition Training?
Even though the transition mandate of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has been in place for more than 20 years, the concept of designing an education plan around student strengths, interests, transition needs and postsecondary goals is difficult to grasp. This conundrum is amplified by the fact that many special education teacher preparation programs, as well as state and local education agencies, are not familiar with the incredible amount of research related to effective practices in transitioning youth with disabilities into adulthood -- or how to transform these research findings into practice. Similarly, those programs and agencies are not familiar with so many key lessons that have been learned through transition-related litigation that has also helped to inform effective policies and practices. Unfortunately, the reality is that both newly credentialed teachers and very experienced teachers lack the training and competency to conduct legal transition assessments, develop compliant and meaningful transition plans, and implement transition services through a collaborative school and community system of supports.
Preparing educators to be highly qualified and competent transition practitioners requires an in-depth training program that covers a wide range of transition competencies and skills. Very few transition training programs exist. Good programs will span several days at minimum, and better yet, are delivered through a semester or year-long course with a few colleges even beginning to offer a stand-alone credential in Transition.
Most professionals who need transition training need it now and in an easily accessible format. This is where ACES fills the gap. ACES Transition Trainings are presented by certified trainers who actively work on the front-lines of transition and have years of experience, research, and training in the field. Our trainings are providing something that most credentialing programs or transition presentations can't do -- that is, research-based and practical information, tools, and strategies that teachers can absorb and implement immediately.
Courses Now Available!
Purchase now and begin watching immediately. Each course is accessible for 180 days. The Full Access Bundle is accessible for 360 days.
What People Are Saying
On behalf of ACES, Rachel has conducted a variety of transition workshops throughout California for educators, college professionals, parents, attorneys, and more. Attendees highly regard Rachel's trainings and recommend them to their colleagues. Here's some of what they are saying:
"I loved this training! Rachel is an expert, and I learned so much in a short time. It was very comprehensive, and I loved the combination of law and practice. I felt like every piece of information included was valuable - there was no wasted time. This was one of the best and most useful training presentations I've attended."
"This was one of the best and most beneficial trainings I have ever been to. I like how Rachel relates case law with research and best practices. The way the training was set up made so much sense to me. I can't wait to attend the next two trainings."
"This was a fantastic presentation! I learned so much and it will definitely inform the transition plans I create."
"Truly all of Rachel's presentation was incredibly helpful and informative!"
"Rachel is extremely thorough in covering the aspects of a robust transition plan and integrating it throughout the IEP. Fantastic training! Extremely valuable!"
"Rachel is remarkable at what she does, and I would recommend her trainings to anyone who is responsible for developing Transition Services."
"All of resources and tools that Rachel shared were especially beneficial."
"One of the best trainings I have attended in some time. Thank you!"
"Everything was beneficial! I like the progression from law and research to transition planning to transition programming. It was all presented in a very logical order with material both being easy to understand and visually pleasing. I loved the action steps that you gave at the end of each presentation. This has really been the most helpful PD I have taken in my sped career. "
Thank you again for such wonderful training. Thanks to what I learned at the training we were able to show evidence as to why a student should be able to move to the certificate track instead of the diploma and convince the district. I was able to present the data to two educational lawyers and in the end, took a super contentious litigious IEP and find common ground with a student-centered outcome. Thank you for your help with this situation.
Instructor: Rachel De Bruin
The training sessions are presented by Rachel De Bruin who is a certified Transition Trainer and a Transition Coordinator for a large network of schools that span 11 California counties. In her current role as Transition Coordinator, Rachel remains on the front lines of Transition. She oversees all aspects of the organization's transition program as well as conducts assessments, writes reports, develops plans, and delivers services. Aside from her current position, Rachel has more than 20 years of experience in special education as a teacher, administrator, curriculum and assessment developer, trainer, and consultant. Rachel’s trainings are grounded in law, research, and best practices but blended with years of personal experience. As a result, attendees will walk away with strategies, solutions, and tools that are both legally defensible and practical for the purposes of developing or improving any or all aspects of transition planning and programming.