Education Special Education Transition Programs

Transition Planning
What?
When your child turns 14 or starts 9th grade, it is time to start thinking about life after school and begin writing a Transition Plan. A Transition Plan identifies the supports the student needs to be able to make the transition from school to Three major steps in working and living in the community and provides a plan for that transition. transition planning: Because the student is old enough to participate in the Transition Plan 1. Assess transition needs meeting, it is important to use their input and structure the plan around their 2. Establish goals interests, strengths and goals for their future. Beginning at least one year 3. Develop the plan before the student turns 18, the Transition Plan needs to tell the student what rights he/she has once he/she turns 18.

The most important piece of information when it Who? comes to transitioning a child served under special Students who currently have an IEP, at age 14 or when the student begins 9th education to post grade. Transition services are available until age 21 as long as the student secondary options is the does not graduate. Students are able to participate in the graduation ceremony accommodations and at their high school before continuing school until age 21. However, once the modifications page of the IEP. Take it along when you student receives a diploma, they no longer qualify for transition services. meet with the disability counselor at the college, technical school, etc that How? your son/daughter would The Transition Plan team that works together to write the plan should consist like to attend. That and information on your child's of the parents, the student and representatives from the various organizations disability, his/her strengths involved in the students transition. Examples of the types of organizations include post-secondary education providers, vocational rehabilitation providers, and needs. The Disability Counselor at the post independent living centers, and social service agencies and organizations secondary school your child specific to your childs disability, such as PACER or Arc. chooses to attend will be your child's advocate in that setting. Get to know him/her Where? and help them get to know your child.
Visit the MN Disability Law Center website. Visit the PACER website for information on student directed IEPs and on transition planning and employment. Consult the PACER manual about successful transitions into high school.

-Jennifer, parent