Supported Decision Making in DC Public Schools
Supported Decision Making in DC Public Schools
Supported Decision Making in DC Public Schools
RESOURCE TYPE
Information | Guide | Tool/form
LANGUAGE
English
AUDIENCE
Caregivers | Educators | Individuals with disabilities | Advocates | Family members | Post-secondary students
Resource Description
Introduction: This document is from DC Public Schools (DCPS). It explains how adult students with disabilities can choose trusted people to help them make choices about their education. The document includes both a question-and-answer guide and a form that students can fill out to pick their helpers.
Resource Summary
Content Summary: When students with disabilities turn 18 in DC, they have the right to make their own choices about school. This is called being at the "age of majority." Some students may want or need help making these choices. They can pick trusted adults to help them through a process called Supported Decision Making (SDM). SDM is different from guardianship. In guardianship, a court picks someone to make choices for the student. With SDM, the student picks their own helpers and still makes their own final choices. The student can pick any adult over 18 who they trust to be part of their SDM network. To start SDM, the student and their chosen helpers must fill out and sign a DCPS form. This form lets the student pick which school papers their helpers can see. These might include things like meeting notices, test results, or report cards. The student keeps control of their choices and can stop sharing papers with a helper at any time. The helpers in the SDM network give advice to the student about school choices. They can look at the school papers the student shared with them to give better advice. But they cannot make choices for the student. The student makes the final choice after talking with their helpers. There is no need to go to court to set up SDM. The student just needs to fill out the form with their helpers. Everyone who signs the form should keep a copy. The school also keeps a copy in the student's file. If a student later gets a guardian through the courts, their SDM agreement will end. The form has spaces for the student to write their name and contact details. They can list up to two helpers and must write down each helper's name, relationship, address, phone number, and email. The student checks boxes to show which school papers each helper can see. Both the student and their helpers must sign and date the form. This process helps students learn to make choices while still having support from people they trust. It gives them more control over their education while making sure they have help when they need it.