Transition Planning

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Why it works

Under IDEA, transition planning for students with disabilities, preparing for life after school (employment, further education or training, independent living, community participation), is a required and crucial part of the IEP, meant to begin by the mid-teens. Research and law emphasize that strong transition planning is student-centered (driven by the young person's own goals, strengths, and preferences), starts early, is coordinated across school and community agencies, builds relevant skills, and involves the family. Done well, it leads to better post-school outcomes; neglected, students are left unprepared for adult life.

The research: IDEA transition requirements; research on transition outcomes.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

The core activity: strengthen a transition plan

Teachers leave with a student-centered transition focus for one student.

For a student approaching transition, center the plan on their own goals, strengths, and preferences.
Address post-school areas (employment, education/training, independent living).
Start early and build relevant skills and experiences.
Coordinate with family and community agencies.

Student-driven, started earlyTransition planning prepares students with disabilities for adult life. Center it on the student's own goals, start early, build skills, and coordinate supports.

Facilitator notes

Make it student-centered, and start early.
Address post-school areas, and build skills.
Coordinate with family and agencies.

Neglected transition planning leaves students unpreparedTreating transition as an afterthought leaves students with disabilities unready for adult life. Plan early, student-centered, and coordinated.

Adapt it

Middle school: early awareness, self-advocacy, exploration.
High school: student-driven planning, skills, agency coordination.
All settings: student-centered, early, coordinated.

Participant handout

One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

K12 Academics · Professional Learning

Transition Planning: student-driven, early

Toward adult life: center the student's own goals, address post-school areas, start early, and coordinate supports.

The student approaching transition:
Their own goals, strengths, and preferences:
The post-school areas the plan addresses:
The skills and experiences to build:
The family and agency coordination:

Make it stick

Student-driven, early:

Make transition student-driven.
Start early.
Bring a transition plan to the team.

Common questions

When should transition planning start?

Under IDEA, by the mid-teens (and often earlier is better). Starting early gives time to build skills, explore goals, and coordinate supports before the student leaves school.

Who drives transition planning?

The student, as much as possible. Strong transition planning is student-centered: driven by the young person's own goals, strengths, and preferences, with the family and team supporting.

What does it cover?

Employment, further education or training, independent living, and community participation, with the skills, experiences, and connections to agencies needed to get there.