Transition Partnership with Ramapo College Builds Positive Relationships

This winter, The Forum School launched an innovative partnership with leaders at Ramapo College and now, students from both schools are gaining insight and experiences that will shape their futures.

Working with Ramapo professor, Dr. Norflus-Good, Director of the Masters of Arts in Special Education program, educators at The Forum School mapped out a pilot project designed to expand and improve transition services, and at the same time, help prepare the next generation of educators to work with students on the autism spectrum.

Joined by their teacher, Ms. Beverly Asinofsky, students from The Forum School’s E.L.I.T.E. program head to Ramapo College every week, where they spend time with 18 college undergrads who are studying to become educators. Together, they work on collaborative projects – from touring the campus, to cooking together, to working on homework. At the end of every visit, the group heads to the college cafeteria to enjoy lunch together.

Dr. Norflus-Good believes this cutting edge partnership will help her students, all of whom are studying general education.

Today’s classrooms are diverse, and I believe all students need as much hands-on learning as they can get. Not only do my students benefit, but The Forum School students have developed confidence, independence, problem-solving and new social skills. It is an amazing collaboration – a win-win for everyone.

– Dr. Norflus-Good

Brian Detlefsen, principal at The Forum School agrees. “This collaboration gives our students an excellent opportunity to experience life on a college campus, and develop friendships with similar-aged peers. They look forward to the visits and have grown so much.