Transition planning within an IEP refers to the process of preparing students with disabilities for life after high school, specifically focusing on their post-secondary education, employment, and independent living goals.
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Millions of IEP students have graduated from their school and with the help of an Transition IEP Goals Bank, had goals that were meaningful to them for their adult life.
IEP transition planning typically begins when a student turns 16, although it can start earlier if deemed necessary. And it involves a LOT. I mean it parents, if you don’t take ownership of this, your child will be left behind.
The transition plan is designed to address the unique needs of each student and may include goals related to vocational training, job placement, further education, independent living skills, and community involvement.
It involves collaboration among the student, parents or guardians, educators, and any relevant service providers to identify the student’s strengths, interests, and needs, and to develop a roadmap for achieving their post-secondary goals.
Transition IEP goals are critical for ensuring that students with disabilities have the necessary support and resources to successfully transition from school to adult life and to pursue their chosen path with confidence and independence.
Any skill can become an IEP goal, if you put it in the IEP goal formula. You can also use multiple items here, and use some as objectives toward a goal.
In the United States, the age for IEP transition planning typically begins when a student turns 16 years old, as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
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However, transition planning can start earlier if deemed appropriate by the student’s IEP team, which includes educators, parents or guardians, and sometimes the student themselves. Or, if your state has lowered the age of transition.
This early start allows for comprehensive planning and preparation for life after high school, focusing on the student’s post-secondary education, employment, and independent living goals.
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So, make note of this. Transition goals go on the IEP when the child is going to turn that age.
I’ll use my son as an example. He has a summer birthday. His annual IEP renewal time is January. Our state’s transition age is 14.
So, he was actually 13-and-a-half when he first had transition goals on his IEP.
The IEP team should be adding the IEP transition plan to the IEP before, not after. Had my son’s team waited until he was actually 14 to add transition IEP goals, he would have been 14-and-a-half and potentially lost 6 months of supports and services related to his IEP transition plan.
It’s worth noting that many IEP goals for transition, including those found in this IEP transition goal bank, are not measurable.
This is a shift in thinking for many parents. For years we’re browbeaten to think about measurable IEP goals.
But, the transition IEP goals, if completed, likely will happen after the child leaves school. These goals may be related to being collegebound or career readiness and getting a job.
Your school team, while required to provide FAPE, is not required to provide your child a job. It’s not something they can control–whether or not your child gets a job or goes to the college they desire.
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Their responsibility is to provide supports and services to get the child to that goal.
You likely won’t get decent supports and services if you don’t have solid IEP transition goals.
This is just part of the reason why IEP transition goals are so important.
So, without further discussion, here are all the IEP goals I have on the site, as related to IEP transition.
Good luck, and don’t miss all the other valuable content on the site related to transition.
Special Education Advocate
I'm an IEP/Special Education Advocate who has attended 100s of IEP meetings. I live in Chester County, PA with my husband and two boys, one is disabled. My goal is to make your IEP process easier and help you move your IEP Team to YES. When I'm not here, I'm probably in Harrisburg or DC lobbying for systems change for our kids.
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