Transfer of Rights:

Federal special education regulations require that at least one year prior to the student reaching age 18 the student and the parent/guardian must be informed about the rights that will transfer from the parent/guardian to the student upon the student's 18th birthday. Within the Shrewsbury Public School system, this notification will occur during the child's IEP meeting or in receipt of your child's proposed IEP during their sophomore or junior year. 

 

Age of Majority:

Age of Majority (English); Age of Majority (Spanish); Age of Majority (Portuguese); Age of Majority (Chinese), Age of Majority (Haitian-Creole)

When an individual turns 18 years of age, he or she is legally identified as an adult. This is known as the Age of Majority. With this change comes the responsibility for making legal, financial, medical, and other important life decisions. Some individuals with disabilities may not be prepared to make these decisions on their own at age 18. When this is the case, parents and guardians should decide ahead of time what kind of legal supports or protections will be necessary to protect the safety and rights of the individual.  If legal protections are not in place the Transfer of Rights will occur when the individual turns 18 years old.

For more information pretaining to rights at the age of 18 years old, please review the following state document by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Attorney General: When you turn 18

Knowing Your Options: There are many ways that parents and guardians can seek to establish legal protections for an individual with a disability. It is important to consider all options in order to find the best fit for the individual's specific needs. Please be advised that the information provided on this page is for reference only. Parents and guardians should seek professional legal counsel when considering guardianship and alternative options.

Guardianship 

  • Legal guardian is appointed to manage all financial and personal affairs for an individual deemed incompetent by the court
  • Requires legal hearing where evidence of incompentence is presented
  • Guardianship is the broadest form of legal protection; alternatives should be considered before pursuing this option
  • Guardianship may be limited to a specific area of decision-making 

Conservatorship 

  • A conservator is appointed to manage only the financial affairs for an individual with a disability
  • Requires legal hearing where the need for a conservator is established
  • Conservatorship is a good alternative to guardianship if the person only needs support with financial decisions
  • A Conservator takes responsibility for managing an individual's bills, debts, and assets

Trusts 

  • Allows a trustee to control specific assets on the behalf ofan individual
  • No court intervention needed
  • Legal consultation is recommended when creating a trust

*** The brochures provided above were produced by The LINK Center - a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE).

 

SMARTS Curriculum

During the 22-23 school year, Shrewsbury High School Special Education classrooms will be implementing a new comprehensive curriculum to support students development of critical executive function strategies that promote academic success.  This curriculum may include instruction in the 5 key executive function processes:

  • Goal setting
  • Cognitive flexibility/thinking flexibly
  • Organizing and prioritizing
  • Accessing working memory
  • Self-monitoring and checking

Within this program, students will develop the self understanding to know which strategies work best for them as well as why, where, when, and how to use those strategies to complete their work.

***SMARTS is a program developed by RESEARCHILD and informed by their sister organization, the Institute for Learning and Development, to bring the benefits of teaching Executive Function strategies to more learners. 

 

Transportation

Transportation is an essential component to postsecondary adult life.  Below are resources in accessing WRTA public transportation and obtaining a driver's permit. 

WRTA Transportation Resource 

Obtaining a MA Driver's Permit Resource 

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