Who can attend the Ridgefield Transition Program?
Per the CT Transition Bill of Rights, Student's with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) have the right to:
Request consideration for receiving transition-only services (for students with disabilities who have completed all academic requirements for graduation) if all transition goals and objectives have not been met during their previous year in high school. The PPT makes the recommendation for transition-only services, which must be reviewed at least annually. PPT Considerations When Determining the Need for Transition-Only Services for a Student:
a. Transition-only services may be discussed at the first PPT meeting when a student reaches the age of 14 but not later than the PPT meeting that occurs approximately two years prior to a student’s anticipated exit from school.
b. Transition-only services must be a coordinated set of individualized activities but do not need to be a specialized “program”.
c. Transition-only services should be based in the local community to the greatest extent possible in order to prepare students for life after high school.
d. Transition-only services should provide students with the opportunity to maximize their time with nondisabled peers.
e. Transition-only services are not required for graduation but may include academic, vocational, and independent living activities that will help students meet their postsecondary goals.
f. Students are entitled to participate in graduation exercises and related activities upon completion of academic requirements or at the conclusion of transition-only services. This decision is made by the PPT.
g. If students participate in transition-only services, the date on their diploma will be the date that they exit high school due to graduating with a regular high school diploma. A parent/adult student may request that the date on the student’s diploma reflect the date that the student fulfilled academic requirements to graduate. This request should be made to the school district just prior to the student’s exit from special education.
Where is RTP located?
Ridgefield Transition Program is located behind Veteran's Park Elementary School at 8 Governor's Street.
RTP will be moving to our new location, Halpin Lane, during the 2025-26 School Year!
Do RTP students attend Ridgefield Extracurriculars?
Yes! Students who attend RTP will continue to have access to RHS extracurricular activities, such as Unified Sports, Unified Theatre and Friends Club.
Students who attend RTP also get introduced to local recreation and leisure opportunities as they become available, such as SPHERE, Special Olympics and more.
Does RTP provide transportation to students who are enrolled?
Yes, students receive transportation to and from the program as well as daily transportation to and from community based sites.
Do RTP students get paid for their work experiences in the community?
Yes, students who have been recommended for RTP and have vocational transition services recommended on their IEP will engage in community based work experiences across various Ridgefield Businesses.
Students learn and demonstrate an array of employability skills as a part of their programming. These skills include completing job applications, hiring/tax forms, interviewing role playing as well as completing bi-weekly timesheets. As a result, students receive bi-weekly pay checks for the work they complete in the Ridgefield Community.
How long do students remain in RTP?
Students who attend RTP have met all of their high school credit requirements, students may choose to exit the program at any point in time.
Students anticipated exit date is determined through the Planning and Placement Team Process.
Pursuant to Public Act 23-137, which amends subsection (b) of Section 10-76d of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS), effective July 1, 2023, all students remain eligible for special education services under the IDEA through the end of the school year during which the student turns age 22, or until the student graduates from high school with a regular high school diploma, whichever occurs first. Pursuant to CGS § 10-259, the school year is defined as July 1 through June 30.