What is transition planning?
Transition planning is required by law to begin no later than the first Individual Education Program (IEP) to be in effect when the child is sixteen.  The plan becomes part of the child's IEP.  Transition services are intended to prepare students make the transition from high school to the adult world.   The IEP team considers whether services are needed in each of these transition areas: employment, independent living, community participation, adult services, and post-secondary education.

What are transition services?
Transition services are a coordinated set of activities that are based on the student's needs, taking into account their preferences and interests.  Services can include instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, the acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocation assessment.  The idea behind this requirement is that a long-range plan for adult life be developed.

Who may be part of the transition team?
*The student and family
*Special education teachers
*At least one regular education teacher
*Administrators
*Service providers (physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, etc.)
*Guidance counselors
*Representatives that may provide post-school services (Voc-Rehab, College Disability
  Coordinators, etc.)

What should the transition IEP meeting look like?
1. Welcome and introductions
2. Discuss the student's present level of educational performance and transition
    assessment results.
3. Discuss and identify the student's post-school goals.
4. Develop a statement of needed transition services to help the student achieve
    his or her post-school goals.
5. Develop IEP goals and short-term objectives, as needed.
6. Discuss transfer of rights for students who are 17.