Making the Jump to High School - 5 tips to a successful transition
It’s that time of year where students in Grade 8 are looking to high school and making decisions about where they will continue their educational career. For families with students who have learning needs this can be a stressful time. Are you wondering how to help your student make a successful transition into high school? Wondering what supports might be offered at the high school level? Read more here to learn some tips and tricks for a successful transition to grade 8!
Moving on can be scary
This week I’ve been a number of school supporting schools and families as they start their journey into high school. For many of the families their student has been in one school possibly with the same teachers since they were very, very young. Now all of a sudden they find themselves trying to wade through the different options, as well attempting to ensure their student will receive support with their learning to ensure success.
For students and their families with learning challenges knowing what to expect and what is available as they move forward to high school can be scary. Elementary and middle schools are often a place where students and families have grown to know and built relationships together. High school is a much larger place, in most cases, where students need to work hard to advocate for their own needs. If you’re looking for a place to start exploring how to support your child in advocating for their needs check out 5 Tips for Supporting Your Child to Advocate. In the post you’ll find 5 easy things you can do help your child begin to advocate for their needs.
Transitions to High School can be tough, here are some tips to make it easier.
Where do we start?
You might be asking yourself “if you say advocating is important, how can we as a family help our child when they have 6 different teachers?” Well, lets look together at a 5 ways you can help your child be successful, even with their learning challenge when they reach high school.
Write a letter to the teacher
In a conversation I had the other night with a friend who’s a high school teacher, he indicated that one of the most helpful things was when students and family wrote a letter. The letter detailed what the student felt they needed to be successful. Writing this letter allows for the student to be really specific about what they need. High school teachers have hundreds of students, and it can be tough for them to get know each and every one. By writing a letter you as the family and student introduce yourself to the teacher. Highlight what the needs are, for example more time for tests, more frequent breaks, sitting close to the teacher or perhaps a quite space to write tests. Your letter might also include the specific learning challenge, for example Dyslexia, ADHD or perhaps anxiety. All of this will help the teacher support you throughout your time with them.
Go for a tour BEFORE school starts
It seems like a simple thing but just going for a tour before all the students arrive, even before grade 9 day, can make a big difference. You’ll have seen the school at the open house or you may have been there for a tour with the school. However, there’s nothing like getting a chance to walk the halls without the overwhelming feeling of a thousand students from grade 9 -12. Call the school ahead of time, tell them you’re coming to the school and would like to take tour with a member of the staff. Usually this will be done with one of the administrators of the school or the guidance councilor. This does two things, one it gives you a chance to see where things are (classes and lockers) but also gives you a chance to touch base with your adult ‘person’. This is the staff member in the school you can go to with any and all questions. Making those connections early can help you understand who to go to and take some of the anxiety away from not knowing.
Go to the open house
Make sure you go to the open house when it happens and make sure you go with your child. They should be involved in making the choice of where they will attend for high school. They will be spending, possibly, the next 4 years in those halls and if it doesn’t feel right it wont be a good fit. As both the parent and student, if you have questions ask them. For example you might want to ask where students on IEP’s can go for extra help. Most high schools have a resource room which is open to students who need a little help. Ask how many Special Education Teachers they have, some schools have many while others only have a few. The answers to these questions might help inform you decision on which school would be a good fit. Just like anything else, every school has it’s niche, and sometimes support students with needs is not it.
Don’t be afraid to say something
Being new to a school it can be hard to step up and say something. In many cases parents and students worry that if they are too vocal with their needs they can be seen as “high maintenance”. I can assure you that this is NOT the case. Stepping up and saying your child, or the student themselves saying they need help, makes everything easier. Again, remember that your child’s teacher will have hundreds of students in and out of their classroom in a day. Be the squeaky wheel and ask for what you need. By this point your student needs to be taking on the rains of advocating for what they need. Start by making sure your child knows what is in the their IEP and that they know what they are entitled to from extra time to a note taker. They can only advocate for what they know they are entitled too.
Inform yourself
Make sure you know and understand what the school offers (this goes back to tip #3) what your child needs to be successful and ask when you need to. Most schools offer a Learning Strategies Course (coded - GLE) which only students with IEP’s have access too. In this course students work on improving literacy, numeracy, organization and study skills. Here students are supported with Special Education Teachers who work with the students on their areas of needs and ensure they are on track with school work. Each school runs their course slightly differently so make sure you’ve asked how their course runs.
Never under estimate the power of hard work and determination.
The Road is Long but the Journey is Short
Just like any other educational step, it seems like a never ending road. Especially for students who struggle at school, any new road through education, can seem like it takes forever. There’s lots of change that happens when moving from middle school to high school. The whole process can be scary and overwhelming. Remember to take time to explore all the options, talk to people and ask questions. As a parent or guardian of a student with a learning difference it’s so important to understand the process. There are no silly questions, you can only ensure you are making the right choice by seeking answers.
You’ve supported your child in getting this far. Now the time has come for your student to begin to advocate for themselves. This will important as they move from high school to post secondary, whatever that looks like. Teachers want to hear from your child. They are open to hearing how they learn best and what insights they have on their own learning. Taking responsibility for ones learning is one of the biggest steps in understanding what is needed to succeed.
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June can be a scary time of year for those who struggle with transitions. Looking at BIG T Transitions and little t transition can help you build a transition to ensures the success of your child.