The Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative (WSTI) is designed to improve the results for students with disabilities as they transition from high school to post high school.

• Project coordinators assist local school
  districts by training staff and parents on
  the IDEA transition requirements and best
  practices in transition.
• Local school districts volunteer to
  participate in the WSTI project. An IEP
  review is conducted to gather baseline
  information about transition services
  in the district and set goals for
  improvement.
• The coordinator then provides staff
  development to teachers and parents in
  the area of transition.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative (WSTI) is to improve the results for students with disabilities by providing staff development, support services and information dissemination to directors of special education, special educators, parents, youth and community agency providers on transition requirements and best practices for students with disabilities.

A two-tiered approach involving school district transition action teams (TATs) and countywide transition advisory councils (TACs) is utilized.

History and Impact

The Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative was established in 2000 and is funded by the Department of Public Instruction. Since its inception six years ago WSTI has refined its mission and aligned project activities to meet the needs of local school districts in understanding and implementing IDEA transition requirements and best practices in transition.

To date, 153 school districts have been served by the WSTI project. It is projected that 72/72 counties will have an active transition advisory council by the year 2007.

If you are a parent, student or teacher and have been involved with the WSTI project, WSTI is interested in hearing from you!