Transition Services
Transition planning helps students and their families prepare for life after high school. It's never too early-or too late-to start planning for the future! Transition services focus on the individual student’s need for the support based on their strengths, areas for improvement, preferences, and interests.
Together, students, families, and school staff can explore and develop goals that will support movement towards the student’s future, including post-secondary education, employment, and independent living opportunities.
Please contact the Transition Specialist for your campus to learn more about Transition planning for students with an IEP at each school-age level:
- Elementary School (EC–5th Grade): Focuses on self-determination, early agency connections (such as Medicaid Waiver interest lists), and introducing student-led ARD participation. By 5th grade, students may be involved by beginning to identify their strengths, preferences, and interests to support their transition into middle school.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): Formal transition planning in the IEP begins no later than 7th grade or age 13 (and must be in place on or before age 14). Planning includes age-appropriate transition assessments, developing measurable post-secondary goals, and practicing student-led IEP meetings. Students are involved by providing input that supports their transition into high school.
- High School & 18+ Services (Grades 9–12+): Emphasizes work-based learning, post-secondary education or training prep, community experiences, transfer of educational rights at age 18, and coordination with community agencies and/or 18+ services, when appropriate.