Transition Questions and Answers

1. What is transition?

Transition is the process used to create a secondary IEP which will help a student reach his or her post-school goals.

2. Why should transition be important to me?

Do you want to have a job and earn money when you leave high school?

Do you want to go to college or to a technical school when you leave high school?

Do you want to have your own apartment or live with some friends when you leave high school?

Do you have favorite activities that you would like to continue when you leave high school like singing in a musical group, bowling, hiking or helping in the community?

If you answered “yes” to any of the four questions, then transition planning can help you reach those post-school goals.

3. Can I have a say in what I want to do or be when I leave high school?

Yes. By federal law you are to be invited to the ARD meeting when transition is being discussed. You are to be a member of the team that develops the plan for your course of study and coordinated set of activities which are included in your individual education program (IEP). Best of all, what you like…your interests, your preferences, and what you do well are a large part of the discussion.

4. What is a course of study?

The course of study is a multiple year plan usually begun when a student is in eighth grade that lists the courses or course content areas that will be taken by the student each year. For example: During the 9 th grade year you might take a math, English, science, and social studies class, plus other courses that would support what you are needing to take to graduate and reach your post-school goals.

5. What is a coordinated set of activities?

A coordinated set of activities is developed during transition planning to help you reach the goals you have set for yourself after leaving high school. These activities are coordinated because they bring together you, your parents, the school and the community resources so that you have the right amount of help you need to be successful in your adult life.

6. What are you talking about when you say I should participate in the “development of IEP”?

You should think through what activities you enjoy participating in, you’re your strengths as far as what you know and what you can do, and know what it is you want to be able to do when they leave high school. You should clearly express this information at the ARD meeting and help develop an individual education plan, that capitalizes on your strengths and preferences while moving toward graduation and accomplishing your post-school goals for your life.

http://www.nichcy.org/stuguid.asp

7. Could you explain what self-determination is?

Self-determination has been defined many different ways. Basically, when you exhibit self-determination skills they are reflected in the control you take over your life in making choices for your future. You have developed a set of strategies that help express your thoughts in a variety of situations, make decisions, solve problems, learn how to succeed in an adult world, and get a job and keep it just to name of few.

More information on self-determination can be found on the following website:

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/sped/transition/VITC_SA.shtml