Transition services are a coordinated set of activities provided to the student by the school and agencies designed to promote successful movement from high school into adult life. The transition process prepares students for adult life by focusing on the areas of post-secondary education, employment, community participation, and independent living skills. Since the enactment of IDEA 2004 transition services have been based on the student strengths, preferences and interests.
When Does Transition Planning Begin?
IEP Teams include transition planning in the first IEP that will be in effect when the child turns 16 years of age.
Who Participates in the Transition Planning Process?
Individualized transition services are an integral part of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) beginning with the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16 years old. Determining transition services is a task for all IEP team members, including the student, teachers and parents. Genuine student and parent participations - active involvement in and contribution to the planning process - is critical to achieving good transition results.
What Does Transition Planning Include?
• Development of appropriate measurable post-secondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and where appropriate, independent living skills. These goals should reflect the student's strengths, preferences and interests. In determining such goals, the IEP team (including the student) must determine what instruction and educational experiences will help prepare the student for a successful transition from secondary education to post-secondary life. Age-appropriate transition assessments might include such things as interest inventories and other assessment tools that can help identify an individual's special talents.
• Development of a statement of the transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the student in reaching those goals. The statement of transition services should relate directly to the student's post-secondary goals.
