Transition Planning

What is IDEA?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a United States federal law that governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to children with disabilities. It addresses the educational needs of children with disabilities from birth to age 18, or 21 in cases that involve 14 specified categories of disability.

What is Transition Planning? 

Transition planning is a coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.

The coordinated set of activities must

1. be based upon the individual student's needs taking into account the student's preferences and interests; and 
2. include instruction, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, the acquisition of daily living skills and functional evaluation.

Transition planning should be thought of as a bridge between school programs and the opportunities of adult life for students 14 - 21 years of age, including higher education, employment, independent living, and community participation. Effective transition involves purposeful planning and recognizing the student’s current strengths, interests, preferences, and needs, and then identifying what services and supports he or she will need to achieve future success.