What is Transition?

Transition is the process of changing from one condition to another. In Special Education, Transition refers to students leaving the school world and entering into adult life. As we know, this can be an exciting and scary time for all teenagers, but for students with disabilities, who have an Individualized Education Plan this “transition” requires special consideration and planning. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 requires schools to help these students plan for furthering their education, employment, and independent living.

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3 Keys To Meeting Transition Compliance Requirements

Use age-appropriate assessments to identify the student's wants, interests, strengths, and needs.
Identify appropriate, measurable Postsecondary goals for training and education, employment, and independent living.
Develop a coordinated set of activities to help the student make a successful transition including:

At least one Annual goal related to the student's Postsecondary goals
A Minimum of one Transition Service (informal activity or task)
Important information learned through courses
Inviting the student to actively participate in the Transition IEP meeting

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Ten Sigma's Transition Success Model!

As you can see from the chart on the left, teachers have “traditionally” spent a smaller percentage of time guiding students to develop important Transition skills and research on possible careers. For years, Ten Sigma has been stressing (and teaching) the importance of bringing a more balanced approach to Special Education through the “Transition Success Model”.

This approach represents an important and necessary shift in Special Education, which better prepares students to be positive, healthy, happy, and productive members of society. The Transition Success Model is an innovative approach that ensures teachers meet compliance requirements while guiding students in the process of identifying and learning the necessary skills for their transition to adulthood.

5 Important Components of the Transition Success Model:

The student's postsecondary goals are given more attention in the IEP and by the IEP team.
Teachers focus on guiding students towards identifying and reaching meaningful postsecondary goals.
Students are empowered to take ownership in the process of identifying and reaching their postsecondary goals.
Students spend time identifying their wants, interests, needs, employment & education choices, and independent living options.
The IEP team partners with the student to help him/her achieve their postsecondary goals.

Below, you will find a number of Ten Sigma's Transition resources that are designed to assist teachers and school districts in more effectively guiding their students through the Transition process.

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