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March 4, 2026
The Office for Exceptional Children and Office of Graduate Success at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) will present an overview of Ohio’s graduation pathways and how students with disabilities can actively participate in these opportunities. This session will explain graduation requirements, including options based on IEP Team decision, and the alignment between graduation and IEP Transition planning.
Participants will also learn how student voice, strengths, interests, and post-secondary goals are incorporated into the IEP. Families and professionals will gain practical guidance on supporting meaningful student involvement in both graduation decisions and transition planning to help ensure a successful path to graduation and beyond.
About Presenter
Amy Szymanski, M.Ed., has over 30 years of experience in the field of education, primarily in the area of special education. Ms. Szymanski holds a level of expertise in the areas of secondary transition for students with disabilities and dropout prevention and has presented on this topic at the local, state and national levels. Ms. Szymanski currently works as the statewide Secondary Transition and Workforce Development consultant at the State Support Team Region 1.
Here, she serves as the lead in multiple projects for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children. Prior to her current position, Ms. Szymanski developed a diverse skill set working as a Technical Assistance Consultant in the Education Program at American Institutes for Research (AIR) and serving in Ohio as an elementary special education teacher, a school district special education coordinator, and a special education and school improvement consultant for the State Support Team Region 1.