Special Education High School Transition
"Transition is envisioning where we want students to be in terms of living, employment, and post-secondary school options and determining and designing programs, services, and opportunities to help them get there."
{image} When students graduate from high school, they often face a future that has more questions than answers. For students with disabilities, the future can be even more uncertain. Transition planning helps students with disabilities, and their families, prepare for the transition to adult life after graduation from high school.
For students with disabilities who receive special education services, federal and state law requires school districts to include a discussion of transition services in the development of the student’s Individual Education Program at the annual ARD meeting.
By age 16, the IEP must include a statement of needed transition services that includes instruction, related services, community experiences, employment, and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. The ARD committee must also consider the following areas and include them in the IEP whenever appropriate:
- Student involvement
- Parental involvement (before and after the student is 18 years of age)
- Post-secondary education options
- Functional vocational evaluation
- Employment goals and objectives
- Availability of age-appropriate instructional environments for students at least 18 years of age
- Independent living goals and objectives
- Referral to a governmental agency for services
Students and parents who would like more information about transition planning should contact their local school district.
Education Service Center Region I is currently providing technical assistance and training for educators in the following areas:
Special Education & Vocational Needs -
