As a result of 1990 amendments, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) was renamed as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and transition planning and services were initially mandated. The IDEA's transition services were designed to help students with disabilities move from receiving high school special education services to receiving post high school education, work, or independent living. In 1997, Congress reauthorized the IDEA and strengthened the language pertaining to transition planning and services. Congress added a directive that identification of the related services required for successful transition were to be included in the transition planning process. Congress again strengthened special education transition planning and services language with the passage of the IDEA 2004. This reauthorization included language regarding the duty to prepare children with disabilities for further education along with employment and independent living. IDEA 2004 mandated transition services were to be delivered via a results-oriented process focusing on student performance through goals. This change focused upon improving both the student's academic and functional achievement in order to facilitate movement from high school to post-secondary settings, including vocational education. Subsequent to the implementation of the IDEA's post-secondary transition language courts issued several decisions involving transition planning and services. Analyzing these decisions reveals current trends in special education transition planning and services. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]