What is the course of study?
The course of study is a multi-year description of coursework, from the current year to the anticipated exit year, designed to enable the student to achieve desired post-school goals by completing their secondary and special education requirements. It is essentially a road map of the classes and/or programming options the student will participate in to move, as seamlessly as possible, through their middle and high school years. It should be outlined and updated annually based on the student’s strengths, preferences, interests, and needs, making it meaningful to the student’s future and motivating the student to complete his or her education. The annual process of updating the course of study will continue until a student earns their diploma and/or exits special education.
What is the purpose of the course of study?
Effective alignment of school coursework is an important guide to get the student to be able to earn their diploma and access their post-secondary goals in the adult setting. Making sure to enroll them in all courses needed for earning their diploma, while giving them the opportunity to expand and enhance their skills in areas that need further development.
Who is responsible for the course of study?
It is the responsibility of the LEA to ensure the transition plan includes courses of study that allow the student to reasonably meet their post-secondary goals. Determining the courses of study is part of the IEP process and planning. This is a team decision that involves input from the student, family, and school.
To consider:
Provide a narrative for courses listed when course description may be difficult to determine specific content. For example, a student who is taking mainly Life Skills courses or graduating by a specific IEP plan, these can be correlated to IEP goals or extended indicators in a narrative description.
IDEA
§§1414(5)VIII(bb)
The term “individualized education program” or “IEP” means a written statement for each child with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with this section and that includes—
beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16, and updated annually thereafter— (bb) the transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals; and
92 Nebraska Administrative Code 51 (Rule 51)
007.07A9b the transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals
Indicator 13
- Do the transition services include courses of study that will reasonably enable the student to meet his or her post-secondary goal(s)? Graduation