Congressman Miller Seeks Report on Transition Programs for Students with Disabilities

From the Office of Congressman George Miller (9.14.10)

Chairman Miller Asks GAO to Examine The Effectiveness of Federal Programs Aimed at Helping Students With Disabilities’ Transition from High School to College and Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine the effectiveness of federal programs that exist to help students with disabilities transition from high school to college or the workforce. Recent studies show that about only half of students with disabilities graduate from high school with a regular diploma. In 2009, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 14.5 percent.
 
“Currently, educators across the United States are striving to ensure that all public school students are college and career ready to enable their success in this global economy,” Miller wrote. “However, students with disabilities often face academic, physical, social, and economic challenges when transitioning from high school to postsecondary education or the workforce. As a result, they are less likely than other students to make this transition successfully. 
 
“The federal government plays a significant role in supporting students with disabilities through a variety of programs. I remain concerned about whether federal efforts adequately provide a comprehensive, coordinated approach to transition services for youth with disabilities,” Miller said in the letter.
 
Below is the full text of the letter to GAO.

 
***
The Honorable Gene Dodaro
Acting Comptroller General
U.S. Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20548
 
Dear Mr. Dodaro:
I write to ask that the Government Accountability Office  (GAO) to examine how students with disabilities transition from high school to postsecondary education or the workforce and how existing federal programs support that transition.

The demand for skilled workers has increased in today’s rapidly changing global economy. Currently, educators across the United States are striving to ensure that all public school students are college and career ready to enable their success in this global economy. However, students with disabilities often face academic, physical, social, and economic challenges when transitioning from high school to postsecondary education or the workforce. As a result, they are less likely than other students to make this transition successfully.

The federal government plays a significant role in supporting students with disabilities through a variety of programs. In the past, GAO has reported that a lack of coordination among programs assisting youth with disabilities, as well as differences in program structure and requirements, have affected the provision of services to this population. I remain concerned about whether federal efforts adequately provide a comprehensive, coordinated approach to transition services for youth with disabilities.

Specifically, I request that that GAO undertake the following review:
   
• Identify the key federal programs that help support students with disabilities in their transition to postsecondary education or the workforce;
 
• Examine the challenges students with disabilities face in accessing existing federal programs designed to assist them in transitioning to postsecondary education or the workforce;
 
• Examine the degree to which federal agencies coordinate their efforts in this area and identify any barriers preventing the optimal level of coordination; and
 
• Examine how federal agencies use performance and program data to assess the effectiveness of coordination efforts in improving service provision to students with disabilities. 
 
I appreciate your prompt attention this request and GAO’s assistance to the Committee on these issues...
 
Sincerely,
George Miller
Chairman

Comments

[martha de norfolk]

I'm very please that someone is taking this issues into concideration because at this momment my son is going through so much trouble this Vocational Rehabilitation in Miami Florida, he finish High School in Miami and the VR conselor in Miami has done everything in his power to make his life a living held,in Winter Park where he is going to a FULL SAIL UNVERSITY,on 8/25/10 my son staret school as of today 9/21/10 my son has not gotten paid for his transportation to school has not gotten his technical support,hisfull maintenance wich incluted his utilities+rent, so his water is about to be cut off and his ligh, and his internet services that he need to do his homework because the school he goes to is base on computer for everything, and them his phone services too, the ansewrs he gets from Mr Carlos Gonzalez his counselor to my son's request to be transfer out of Miami to Orlando's office is that he is going to do the transffer when ever he feels like, and as far as his maintenance, and other services will be done againg when ever he will feel like,and in top of all this I my self was hire as my son's personal assistance for school, I have been working sence 8/25/10 and to this day I have not been paid ether, and in top of all of this,the transcition services from CHILDREN MEDICAL SERVICES that is supposed to take care and coordinat his medical services is been a dissaster too,sence last friday at 4:55 in the afternoon the Home Healht Agency that( was suplying this services to my son)who is a critical case because of his medical condition, the owner of this Agency A+HOME HEALHT call my son to tell him that he will not be providing this services any more becauseas he said "Kepro" the Medicaid Agency that handle payment for Medicaid had informed them that they will not be getting payment because they do not have a medical prescription from my doctor staying the medical restriction I my selfa 60 year old women whith artritis on both hands and tendonitis on my arms do to all the lifting I have been doing for the past 19 year, my son needs to change sleeping position every 30 to 45 minutes at night every night, I been doing this my self, and this is cost me very hard ship on my own healht and now this Agency and CMS have place my son in a position that last night my son had to sleep in his weelchal because I"m not strong enough to get in to his bed, is this the way this Agency that are all run by our Goverment suppose to tread our son's and daughter's when there desire's is to continue there school and beat all the abtaculs that they have because of there disabilitys????, please someone answer this for me.
Martha de Norfolk
(786) 287-2386
my son's name is
Bryant Amastha
dob 9/12/91
my address is
5583 PATS POINT
WINTER PARK,FL.
32792

[Magalita Te'o]

I think the current actions that are being taken for the awareness of government funding programs that assist individuals with disability to transition from high school to college and workforce is necessary and something exciting that is taking place for a greater change.
I recently read an article about a young girl that is blind and that had the opportunity to attend a college-bound camp for visually impaired students. Her experiences with this camp was an eye-opener and really enlightened her understanding on how college life was going to be, as they lived in a mini-college atmosphere at the camp to prepare them for what they should expect. It was an excellent way for her to know what she would need with to do to better prepare her for college.
She is currently attending a college that has most of the necessary devices that she needs for her educational journey to be comfortable and effective.
I think the program like the "college-bound" one that she attended should definitely be offerred and available for students with disability that are looking forward to the college life. It will be a guide to them in many areas of their lives and evenmoreso, encourage them to pursue for a higher education where they know that proper training and accommodations is available for them.
I am excited and hope for the best on request that is being made by Chairman, George Miller.
Please, lets make a change!

[Barbara Jackson]

It is extremely important that the GAO do all within its power to ensure that students with disabilities have transition programs in place as soon as possible. It is a plus for all in the nation and especially for those students with disabilities who are coming out of high school to have every opportunity to make higher learning successful. The economic impact would be felt for years to come if every disabled student had the potential to obtain gainful employment and sustain themselves financially. A college education would be just the ticket needed to make sure people with disabilities are independent not dependent on society for daily care and living expenses. It is imperative that the GAO move quickly to ensure that there are programs in place to enable independence for those with disabilities who need to move forward and make a brighter future for themselves.

[Margaret Simms]

The existence of federal programs that assist students with disabilities to make the transition from high school to higher education and the workforce is critical to developing the workforce of the future. However, no matter how much funding or opportunity is provided by the federal government it is not nearly as important in evaluating whether the programs are effective and are coordinated to the degree where the services being provided is readily assessible. I have sat in too many meetings where students with disabilities encounter numerous roadblocks because they do not qualify for services or services are mismatched. George Miller brings up many valid points, I sincerely hope that the GAO take them into consideration.

[Rhodora Rojas]

September 25, 2010

The Honorable Gene Dodaro
Acting Comptroller General
U.S. Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20548

Dear Mr. Dodaro,
I am writing you in support to Chairman Miller’s letter to your office requesting that the Government Accountability Office examine how existing federal programs supporting transitions for high school students with disabilities to postsecondary education or the workforce.
I believe that youth are the future of our country. If we are to make sure that high school students with disabilities are provided with proper transition programs, it will save us more money and will give them the better opportunity to improve their lives. If we have, an accurate program that addresses transition needs of this group of students. Once these needs are addressed, it will be easier to get them the necessary services pertaining to their needs. This process, I think will save us plenty of tax dollars because by doing this, we do not have to try other things for an individual that might not work at all. If we are to support an accurate program, which could help someone to transition himself or herself, then we will just be spending our time towards the implementation of a program that will surely work.
In addition, once an individual gets the right transition program, he or she will be directed to the correct path right away, which will make him or her achieve the goals faster. When this happens, the individual will then become more independent and will enjoy a great quality of their lives. When this happens, we will help both the individual as well as the society because we then give the individual his independence, and the society the ability to employ these individuals freely. In this hard economic downturn, it would benefit us all if we are to examine and analyze the existing transition programs.

Thank you very much,

Rhodora Rojas

[Shannessy M. Mitchell]

Federal programs that assist students with disabilities transition from high school to the workforce or continued education is a highly needed necessity. I currently work in a transitional program where we assist students with special needs transition from high school to programs that fit their individual needs. Transition programs are crucial for people with disabilities to succeed independently. High school students with disabilities need to be provided with these types of programs to maintain the best quality of life for themselves. It is critical that the GAO does everything to ensure that programs are readily available and that the quality of these programs is up to standard. I appreciate George Millers efforts and support his view points on this issue.

[J. Ito-Carver]

I am writing to show my support of Congressman Miller’ request for the GAO to review existing federal programs which support the transition for students with disabilities from high school to post secondary education. In order to compete in our global economy, immediate steps need to be taken to guarantee that students with disabilities are adequately prepared to secure meaningful employment. Statistics reveal that a disproportionate number of students with disabilities do not attain steady, satisfying, or gainful employment. More supports for transition is needed in order to ensure that students with disabilities are provided with equal opportunities for their future.

Furthermore, while I agree that students with disabilities usually must overcome a variety of challenges not faced by their peers without disabilities in order to gain entry to and succeed in postsecondary education, these challenges are often particularly difficult for students with disabilities of culturally diverse backgrounds. The population of students with disabilities from diverse cultural backgrounds is increasing at a steady rate and I feel that this should be taken into consideration when examining the existing supports.