Self-Determination
Ability to make decisions, set goals, problem solve, evaluating options, accepting the consequences of one’s actions
PACER's Self Determination
Parent/Family Involvement
Parents or other family members/guardians play an active role in all aspects of transition planning and being an advocate for the student
PACER's Paving the Way
Interagency Collaboration
Involving agencies helps create a clear and purposeful transition plan that promotes collaboration for better post school outcomes in youth.
Nebraska VR
Transition on an IEP
What to Expect to See on a Transition Page in your child’s IEP Before your child’s 14th birthday, a Transition assessment page should be included in their IEP paperwork. A transition plan is a critical component of an IEP. Why?T because once a child exits public school, his/her services are discontinued. Schools should work hard to partner with families in developing a strong, meaningful transition plan for the child year to year. While your child is in secondary school, the IEP team should be considering what skills …
- Age appropriate assessment(s): A transition assessment is used to identify a student’s strengths, needs, interests, and goals for his/her post-secondary plans. Results of the assessment allows for the IEP team to create a plan for the current year in helping the student achieve those goals. Parent input is extremely helpful in a transition assessment as they may provide information on their child’s strengths/needs/interests in order to help the child decide how they envision their future.A transition assessment is often initially completed by the special education teacher and student. For examples of transition assessment questions.
- Related Services: If a student is receiving speech-language, physical, or occupational therapy, these services will be included in helping support the student achieve his/her transition goals. *Local Educational Agencies also provide guidance and opportunities for students to explore college and job opportunities as well as supporting the student after high school. A list of transition agencies can be found by clicking here. Agencies | Transition (ne.gov)
- Community Experiences: Involvement in the community has many benefits for your student by exposing him/her/them to local activities like recreational or leisure, volunteering, grocery shopping, and visiting banks and other stores. This may help them familiarize themselves with all of the resources, companies, and jobs available within the community.
- Employment: These activities focus on skills needed to obtain and keep a job, searching for employment, understanding and knowing how to fill out important documents, skill training, and more.
- Post-Skill Adult Living: Sometimes schools will aid students in registering to vote or obtain a driver’s license. Schools may also teach students how to search for homes/apartments available for rent or buying. Students should also learn how to connect to adult services and how to apply for college.
- Daily Living Skills: Self grooming, cleaning, paying bills, maintaining a job, and raising a family are typical skills adults use every day.
- Functional Vocational Evaluations: Assessments that identify interests, skills, and other pertinent areas that are needed for future employment. This data is most reliable in real-life experiences.
