Transition Planning in Special Education: Preparing for Life After School

Life After School Starts Now

Transition planning prepares students with disabilities for life after high school: college, employment, and independent living. Under IDEA, transition planning must begin by age 16 (age 14 in some states), but effective planning starts much earlier.

What Transition Planning Covers

Post-Secondary Education -- College, vocational training, community college, certificate programs. What supports will the student need? What accommodations are available?

Employment -- Career interests, job skills, vocational training, job coaching, supported employment. What kind of work does the student want to do? What skills do they need?

Independent Living -- Daily living skills, housing, transportation, financial management, healthcare, self-advocacy. Can the student live independently? What supports are needed?

IEP Transition Components

Present Levels -- Current skills and abilities related to transition areas.

Measurable Post-Secondary Goals -- Where will the student be after graduation? Goals in education, employment, and independent living (where appropriate).

Transition Activities -- Specific activities that will help the student reach post-secondary goals: job shadowing, vocational training, community-based instruction, self-advocacy training.

Course of Study -- What classes will prepare the student for their post-secondary goals?

Agency Connections -- Links to adult service agencies: vocational rehabilitation, developmental disability services, independent living centers.

Student Involvement

The student MUST be invited to their IEP meeting when transition is discussed. This is the law, but it is also best practice. Transition planning should be student-driven.

Self-Determination Skills -- Teach students to understand their disability, know their strengths, communicate their needs, and advocate for themselves.

Student-Led IEPs -- When possible, students lead their own IEP meetings. They present their goals, explain their accommodations, and discuss their plans.

Starting Early

Even in elementary school, you can build transition-related skills:

• Decision-making and self-advocacy
• Daily living skills
• Career awareness and exploration
• Self-awareness of strengths and challenges

Use the IEP goal generator to write transition-focused goals.