TIP SHEET

High School Transition Plan
In the special education world, the term transition applies to students who are preparing to leave high school and enter a post-secondary system, with the goal of successful and meaningful functioning in adult life. The earlier you, your young person, and the professionals working with the young person begin working on a transition plan, the smoother the transition.
Schools should:
- Have a transition coordinator
- Actively involve the student
- Conduct vocational assessments with parents and students
- Expose students to possible colleges, career options, and vocational training programs
- Provide exit summary upon graduation
Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings should:
- Involve the student once s/he is between the ages of 12-14 (though they can be involved earlier)
- Discuss the student’s education, employment, and independent living goals
- Discuss which diploma/credential option the student is working towards
- Discuss vocational assessment results
- Create specific goals on the IEP related to the transition plan
- Update the transition plan every year and involve all providers, family, and the student
What you can do at home:
- Help your child develop self-help skills such as:
- Cooking
- Cleaning
- Self-care
- Traveling
- Money management (bank account)
- Encourage self-exploration and decision making:
- Explore your child’s career and job interests
- Encourage summer volunteer and work opportunities
- Collect student records, transcripts, data reports, and any other relevant documents from the school