The Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (formerly the Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services), in conjunction with the Career Development & Transition Project of The Transition Center at the University of Florida sponsor Florida's Self-Determination Initiative. The Self-Determination Initiative is designed to provide training, technical assistance, and support to Florida's school districts wishing to implement self-determination activities.

Since the inception of the Self-Determination Initiative in 1999, project staff have conducted annual statewide or regional trainings on self-determination models and disseminated relevant curriculum, assessments and resources to training participants. Additionally, project staff have provided district and school specific workshops on a request basis and conducted awareness presentations at all major transition-related conferences in Florida. Over 2,500 educators, family members, students, and agency personnel have benefited from training, technical assistance, and information dissemination conducted through the initiative.

Recent activities include facilitating development of Standing Up for Me, a Florida curriculum designed to teach self-determination skills. The curriculum was piloted in six school districts during the spring of 2003, and statewide training was conducted on the final draft in September and October of 2003 and the published product in November and December of 2004. Project staff are currently implementing a research protocol to evaluate use of the curriculum as well as the effectiveness of the curriculum and its impact on student outcomes.

Results of the Self-Determination Initiative include teachers who have more knowledge of self-determination and resources available for teaching self-determination skills as well as increased instruction in the area of self-determination. A number of Florida students receiving instruction in self-determination have displayed better school and post-school outcomes and have provided testimonials at related conferences. It is anticipated that formal research over the next few years and State Board of Education Rules requiring instruction or information in the area of self-determination will significantly increase instruction in self-determination and validate improved student outcomes.

Self-Determination Addition to State Board of Education Rule

Self-Determination Resources

Self-Determination Websites

Standing Up for Me Supplemental Resource

Upcoming Self-Determination Training

For more information on self-determination, including Standing Up for Me, contact:
Drew Andrews, Director
The Transition Center at the University of Florida
Department of Special Education
G315 Norman Hall
P. O. Box 117050
Gainesville, FL 32611-7050
(352) 392-0701 ext. 260
E-mail: drewa@coe.ufl.edu