News and Events
PERC Forum
The PERC Forum was held in conjunction with the MD State Transition Conference on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at Martin’s West 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.
Session 1: There’s a New Kid in Town: National Trends, Research, and Initiatives Supporting Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Postsecondary Education
View the PowerPoint presentation.
Abstract: The continuum of special education services in many states now includes postsecondary education experiences for students with intellectual disabilities. TransCen’s Postsecondary Education Research Center (PERC) project will provide an overview of existing national practices and emerging legislation and policy implications and research. Participants will be provided with quality indicators for best practices.
Description: Students with intellectual disabilities age 18-21 are being supported currently in 110 college programs across the country, using a dual enrollment model, which provides students with support from their local school system during their final years of public school education. The Post-Secondary Education Research Center (PERC) Project, coordinated through TransCen, Inc. is working in two states to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of an existing model of service for supporting students ages 18-21 with intellectual disabilities who are dually enrolled in public school and two and four year colleges. The proposed session will provide participants with an overview of the current national and state initiatives, and research and practices that are occurring across the country. PERC staff will also highlight legislative and policy initiatives such as the proposed amendments to the Higher Education Act that address students with intellectual disabilities. Participants will be provided with quality indicators for best practices and guidelines/tools for making them work.
Session 2. Networking and Training for Personnel Supporting Students with Intellectual Disabilities in College and Community Settings
Abstract: The PERC Forum is a networking and training event for program personnel who support students with intellectual disabilities in college and community setting to share challenges and successes, brainstorm solutions, and maintain communication with other program staff throughout the state.
Description: The PERC Forum: Maryland Postsecondary Education Programs
Sometimes the best way to improve or expand your own services is to hear about what others are doing and learn from their experiences. Maryland is a leader in implementing post-secondary services to students with intellectual disabilities, with 22 programs in 13 local school systems across the state currently providing such services. With the support of TransCen’s Postsecondary Education Research Center (PERC) project, a technical assistance and research project for these types of college and community-based transition services, all the statewide program personnel can come together to share innovations and challenges, brainstorm solutions, share resources and go back to their programs with new ideas and plans of action! Join PERC at this Forum of Post-Secondary Education Programs – as an existing program, a program-in-the-planning, or someone just interested in finding out more. Specific resources and tools will be provided for participants. This session will build on information and materials provided in the preceding session: There’s a new kid in town: National trends, research, and initiatives supporting students with intellectual disabilities in postsecondary education.