Ministry of Education organizing Individual Training Plans for transition to work

Solution
Individual Transition Plans (ITPs) for Students with Special Needs
Organization
Montenegrin Ministry of Education, Science and Sports
Country of Implementation
Montenegro
Region
Europe
Subregion
Central and Eastern Europe
Start Year
2016
First published
13.01.2021

Individual Transition Plans (ITPs) are designed to support young people with special educational needs in the essential transitions in their lives. An ITP is designed and implemented collaboratively by the student, their parents and teachers, and educational guidance and employment service providers.

A women in a white jacket is standing in a classroom, explaining something; female and male students sit on white chairs and have tables in front of them
Students with disabilities participate in a class for Individual Training Plans.

Solution details

People

Tamara MILIC Website
“ITP helps students make choices according to their individual abilities and possibilities.” Irena Bogićević, a teacher in Podgorica

In 2016, Montenegro’s Ministry of Education launched a pilot project of Individual Transition Plans (ITPs) for students with special educational needs to support their progression through school and transition to the labour market. An ITP is designed with the input of the student, parents, teachers, and educational guidance and employment service providers for support tailored to the student’s individual needs. Starting with 45 participants in 2016, 383 students found employment in 2019.

Problems Targeted

Students with disabilities require personalized, well-planned, and coordinated support for their successful transition to employment or higher education.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

A student typically will have two ITPs: the first (ITP-1) facilitates the transition from primary to secondary school, and the second facilitates the transition either to the labour market (ITP-2) or tertiary education (ITP-3). Each ITP includes an assessment of the student’s capabilities and interests as well as what adjustments, such as devices or assessment methods, are necessary to meet their learning and working needs. The assessment is performed in schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the students, and the local school. ITPs are developed towards the end of the school year (May/June) and implemented after the summer holidays. Each ITP has a checklist whereby progress is monitored and evaluated. Potential employers are contacted by the local schools; and a dual education approach – part school/part practice in the workplace – has been introduced. From 2017 to 2019, the number of students in the programme climbed dramatically from 356 to 804.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

As part of the country’s 2019–2025 Inclusive Education Strategy, which aims to develop the potential of children with special needs in education and in society, the Ministry of Education plans to strengthen the collaboration between elementary and secondary schools for the successful progression of students with special educational needs through ITP-1. Secondary schools are also being coached on involving employers in the formulation of the ITP-2. In 2016 the use of ITPs was piloted in three municipalities. By 2020 it was scaled to all schools in Montenegro and coaching was conducted in ten schools to build the capacity of school staff to implement the plans.

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A women in a white jacket is standing in a classroom, explaining something; female and male students sit on white chairs and have tables in front of them Students with disabilities participate in a class for Individual Training Plans.

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Related information

Solutions with the same:

Country of Implementation

Montenegro

Region of Implementation

Europe