This digest describes the process of designing quality individualized education program (IEP) transition plans for secondary students with disabilities as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended in 1997. It stresses the importance of taking an early, long-range approach, preferably beginning at age 14 or…

This bulletin provides guidance and direction to Missouri local education agencies (LEAs) regarding the U.S. Office of Special Education Program's findings that indicate Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition meetings for students with a disability failed to: (1) provide a notice to parents of the IEP meeting with the required…

This guide on transition services for Minnesota students with disabilities provides parents with information on student's rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that is available, how to obtain it, and how to improve the system to provide for transition needs that are not being met. Separate…

A survey of 100 Wisconsin secondary schools found that students with disabilities did not use a full range of vocational programs, that only 37 percent of students had participated in vocational assessment activities, and that half had vocational goals included in their Individualized Education Programs. Results are discussed in terms of access…

The transition to adult life for students with reading and writing challenges is an area that is not often addressed. The purpose of this article is to relate the informal assessment process to the broader context of high stakes assessment, high school exit exams, diploma options, and transition planning; identify the competencies needed for a…

This brief informational flyer presents practical information on the transition from school to work for students who are deaf-blind or have other severe disabilities. After defining transition, the flyer offers guidelines on: the age at which transition services should be started, areas that should be considered in a coordinated transition plan,…

Designed for parents of students with physical injuries, this guide provides information to help families plan for the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Chapter 1 discusses shifting goals and expectations, including getting work experience, having friends and dating, and becoming independent. Chapter 2 addresses job exploration and…

In response to findings that 50-80% of handicapped adults nationwide are unemployed, the state of South Dakota has mandated transition planning for handicapped secondary students. A statewide mail survey examined the awareness and attitudes of special education teachers about the need for transition services, the extent of current teacher training…

A model is described that utilizes collaboration between sending and receiving programs to support parents through the transition from infant intervention to public preschool special education programs. Included are a timeline for parent services, a parents' worksheet to develop their child's individualized education program, and a list of parent…

These two technical assistance papers are designed to provide further clarification to Florida school districts regarding the evaluation procedures and determination of eligibility for children with disabilities in transition from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C, Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention Program to the…

This information brief presents views on quality education from two individuals with disabilities and a parent of a student with a disability. Amanda Dahloff, Kelly Socha, and Amy Pleet, all experienced in the transition process, offer diverse views on how educational systems can best serve students with disabilities. Key recommendations include:…

An exploratory multiple-case study examined West Virginia students', parents', and educators' perceptions of participation by secondary students and recent school leavers with mild intellectual disabilities in the Individual Transition/Education Planning (ITEP) process. Data collection consisted of individual interviews with 24 students and…

The special education systems in school districts, nationwide, are the starting point for preparing many people with disabilities for the adult world, including the world of work. The federal law governing the obligations of school districts is called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Although the IDEA has been amended…

This article describes the continuum of treatment/education interventions developed to address the needs of Kentucky adjudicated and other at-risk and delinquent youth, ranging from school-based alternative education programs to long-term stays in residential programs. The interagency collaborative approach emphasizes transition planning to less…

Adolescence is a time for dreaming for youth to imagine and set a course for the future. High school students naturally spend time imagining the future if and where to continue their education, to find a job or pursue a career, to move away from home, or to start a family. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes a process…