What is transition planning or transition services?
Transition planning is designed to prepare students with learning differences/learning difficulties to move smoothly from the world of school to postsecondary education, employment and independent living. As part of a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), a transition plan is required by both state and federal law (Minn. Stat. 120.17, subd. 4a, and Section 300.29 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Formal transition planning begins when a student reaches ninth grade (ages 14-15), although planning can begin earlier. Then, the IEP team develops a plan which includes the students, parents, teachers, guidance counselor, transition coordinator, social worker or other support specialists.
The five federally mandated areas of transition planning include:
• Independent Living
• Recreation and Leisure
• Community Participation
• Jobs and Vocational Training
• Post-Secondary Education
Ensuring a successful transition requires comprehensive planning, assessment and information gathered in an organized manner. This information should include a formal standardized transition assessment instrument, such as the Enderle-Severson-J or the TPI. It should also include informal measures, such as checklists, curriculum activities, along with student input. Then, the IEP team develops plans that tailor and respond to an individual student’s needs and preferences. All areas of adult functioning are addressed, but not all students have identified needs in all areas. In short, transition services coordinate a set of activities based on the individual student’s needs and takes into account the student’s preferences, interests, abilities, and dreams.
Good or best practice transition services should provide two very important components:
• Self-advocacy skills training, including gaining awareness of self, such as understanding one’s disability, learning and work styles, job interests, legal accommodations and supports, and next steps/future plans. Basically, self-advocacy is having the opportunity to learn and know one’s rights and responsibilities, stand up for them, and make choices.
• Access to community organizations, jobsites, colleges/training programs, and resources that support transition. Ideally, curriculum and self-advocacy skill training are part of a community-based experiential learning program that offers students an opportunity to explore future options for adult life, employment, postsecondary education, other post-school adult living goals, and (if appropriate) the acquisition of daily living skills and a functional vocational assessment. Some examples include learning how to open and maintain a bank account, take a college placement test and/or gain work experience through either a paid or non-paid internship at a local business, visit a workforce center, or the Disability Law Center.
Where can I learn more?
LDA of Minnesota: Call 952-582-6000 or email info@ldaminnesota.org
LDA of America: www.ldaamerica.org
Learning Disabilities On-line: www.LDOnLine.org
Association on Higher Education and Disability: http://www.ahead.org
Job Accommodation Network (JAN): http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu
National Transition Alliance for Youth with Disabilities: http://www.dssc.org/nta
Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS): https://mncis.intocareers.org/materials/portal/home.html
Internet System for Education and Employment: http://www.iseek.org