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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Charting My Path for Future Success project?

The Charting My Path for Future Success project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, will help families and schools learn how two research-based transition programs can support students with disabilities reach their goals during and after high school. These programs have helped other students in school districts like yours. The American Institutes for Research® (AIR®), a nonpartisan, not-for-profit research organization, will help with the project.

What are the programs that will be offered?

The two programs are the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI)–Transition and SDLMI–Transition with Mentoring. Both programs have trained instructors who help students with the following activities:

  • Set goals that help build skills to be successful in school and life,
  • Develop action plans related to those goals, and
  • Reflect on their progress toward the goals and adjust goals or action plans when needed.

SDLMI–Transition with Mentoring also offers several one-on-one sessions during the school year as part of the regularly scheduled sessions. This program also has check-ins during the summer to help students stay on track to reach their goals after high school.

The students not placed through the lottery into one of the two programs will continue to receive all the transitions supports and services already provided at their school.

When will the programs take place?

These programs will take place during the 2024–25 and 2025–26 school years.

Who can sign up for this project?

The project is open to students who:

  • have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and
  • are starting 11th grade in the fall of 2024 or who are about two years away from finishing high school.

Does my child have to participate in this project?

No, your child does not have to participate. Your family’s participation is completely voluntary.

If my child participates, which program will they be in?

For all students signed up for the project, researchers at AIR will use a computer program to randomly place each student in one of three similarly sized groups.

The students not placed into one of the two programs will be the third group. They will continue to receive all the transitions supports and services already provided at their school.

What will my child learn?

These programs offer support to improve students’ skills that will help them identify goals for their future, develop plans related to those goals, act on those plans to achieve their goals, and track progress on these goals over time.

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What are the potential benefits of the programs?

Combining the most promising aspects of tested student supports, the programs in the Charting My Path for Future Success project may help students do better at school and beyond.

Potential benefits to the programs include improving students’:

  • goal-setting skills
  • ability to monitor their growth and learn from mistakes
  • ability to adapt to challenges
  • skills to identify people and programs that could support their success
  • transitions into life after high school

Are there any risks to signing up for this project?

The project presents no foreseeable risks to you or your child. It has been approved by AIR’s Institutional Review Board, a group tasked with protecting the rights and well-being of people who take part in projects like this.

What types of data are being collected?

AIR is collecting several types of data. Some data, like students’ grades and IEP goals, will be provided by the school district. Other data, like students’ use of Vocational Rehabilitation services or college financial aid, will be provided by the Department of Education and other government agencies.

What will AIR do with the data collected?

AIR researchers will analyze the data collected to learn how the programs best helped students strengthen their skills and meet their goals after high school. The data we collect will be kept confidential and will not be shared with your child’s school or the district.

Will student data be shared with school staff?

Student outcomes will not be shared with any school staff. Per AIR’s Institutional Review Board requirements, student data for this project will remain confidential.

How will my child’s data be protected?

All data collected for this project is fully protected by the confidentiality and data protection requirements of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, as required by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (Title I, Part E, Section 183). The data will only be used for research authorized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Does my child need to be a U.S. citizen to participate?

No. Students who are not U.S. citizens can participate.

How can I find out more information?

You can learn more about the project and programs by contacting your school district. You can also email the project team at chartingmypath@air.org.