Transition

Transition planning is the process of helping youth to prepare for their next steps after high school. Parents and IEP teams may find the following resources helpful to support youth in the transition process.

 

We hope that our "ASK a Family" YouTube video will help you feel more confident in transition services to college!

Transition Iowa

TransitionIowa.org is a website that supports transition planning for youth with disabilities, their families and the professionals who serve them. The resources found here support high expectations and successful outcomes for all students, and help transition-age young adults prepare for life after high school.

Learn More at Transition Iowa

Transition Roadmap and Checklist

\Use this roadmap and checklist to navigate the transition process for youth with disabilities from elementary through high school. The Roadmap includes the who, what, when, and why of transition planning for youth with disabilities, including related resources. The checklist is a simplified version of the full roadmap.

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Age of Majority

Age of majority is the legal age established by state law at which a person is no longer a minor and has the right and the responsibility to make certain legal choices that adults make. The IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) affords parents certain rights to ensure their participation in the educational process for their child with disabilities.

Learn more from ASK Resource Center

Life After High School

We have all thought about what we want to do when we "grow up." For most teenagers, high school is a time when they have to move from thinking and dreaming to planning and working toward real goals. All students face the big transition from high school to the "real world," and students with disabilities may face that transition with even more factors to consider. Preparing how to meet those special needs is the purpose of transition planning for students with IEPs

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Transition Terms - Printable PDF

Special Education uses many acronyms or abbreviations, many of which families become familiar while their student is in school. As teens and their families prepare to exit school and begin life as an adult, they are faced with many new terms and acronyms. Listed below are definitions of some words and acronyms often used during this important time.

View the ASK Resource Center PDF

Competitive Integrated Employment for People with Disabilities

What is Competitive Integrated Employment? It changes the employment question from “Can a person work?” to “How can a person work?” E1st emphasizes that with a good job match and the right supports everyone can work!

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ASK an Expert: Transition 101

Transition consultants from the Iowa Department of Education explain the basics of the transition planning process for students starting at age 14 in Iowa. Includes information about transition assessments, graduation requirements, and 4+ Services for students who have needs that allow them to attend high school beyond the typical 4 years.

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ASK an Expert: Graduation Information and Guidance for Students Eligible for Special Education

Learn about what is required for all students and how graduation requirements apply to students with IEPs.

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ASK an Expert: What are 4+ Services and Are They Right for My Student?

Learn about how the IEP team makes decisions about when 4+ Services (beyond the typical 4 years of high school) should be considered for a student with a disability. Includes examples of what 4+ Services can look like in different environments.

Watch the ASK an Expert Webinar

Secondary Transition | Iowa Department of Education

This webpage from the Iowa Department of Education provides guidance on a variety of important transition topics including legal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), graduation requirements, 4+ Services, Age of Majority and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Learn more from the IDOE

Secondary Transition | Iowa IDEA Information

The Iowa IDEA Information (i3) website provides an explanation of the transition planning process for students with IEPs including important components within the IEP and information on the transfer of rights and the Post-secondary Summary

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Graduation Guidance for IEP Teams

This document from the Iowa Department of Education provides guidance on graduation requirements and how it impacts district policies and graduation decisions for students with IEPs.

Learn more from the IDOE

Guidance on 4+ Services

The Iowa Department of Education provides guidance on 4+ Services (when a student attends beyond the typical 4 years of high school) including definitions, school district responsibilities and placement decisions.

Learn more from the IDOE

Transition Goals in the IEP

The Center for Parent Information and Resources explains the requirements related to transition goals in an IEP, questions for the team to consider and examples of measurable transition goals.

Learn more from CPIR

Partners and Services in Employment for Transition Aged Youth

This chart outlines various agencies and service providers that help to support employment for youth with disabilities in Iowa. It includes a description of who they serve, what services are available and how to refer someone to the following agencies: Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB), Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs), School Districts and Area Education Agencies (AEAs), Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), and the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation (IVRS) Intermediary Program.

Learn more from IVRS

ASK an Expert: IVRS webinar with Mary Jackson

Learn about the services that are available to students with disabilities through Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS). This webinar includes a description of the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) typically provided through the school, the Local School Plan that describes those services and the option for more individualized and intensive services.

Watch the ASK an Expert Webinar

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services for High School Students

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) can provide a multitude of services that are tailored specifically to the needs of each individual. The services and supports a student receives begin in high school and can continue throughout their employment.

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The IVRS Process

: The IVRS Process | Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services This infographic shows the process that is used by Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) for clients to apply, become eligible, receive services, and obtain employment.

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Employment First: A Family Perspective

Employment First (E1st) is based on the idea that "Employment is the first priority and preferred outcome of publicly funded services for people with disabilities." (Iowa APSE) It may sound like another "new thing" but really it isn't. Instead, it is a way for Iowa services to increase integrated work options for Iowans with disabilities.

Learn more from ASK Resource Center

Pre-Employment Transition Services

A description of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), what they include, and how to access these services is provided by Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS).

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The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: What it Means for Iowa Youth, Families and Schools

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into federal law July 2014. The purpose is to "empower individuals with disabilities to maximize employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion in and integration into society."

Learn About WIOA

Ticket to Work Brochure

The Ticket to Work program and how it applies and benefits people with disabilities who are receiving SSI or SSDI is described in this Fact Sheet from Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS).

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IEP Meeting Checklist for Transition Age Students

Follow these easy steps before your next IEP team meeting, during the meeting, and after the meeting, to help you advocate for yourself with confidence and make your voice heard.

Read the PACER Center PDF

My IEP Owner's Manual for Transition Age Students

This printable IEP Owner's Manual was created so youth can use the manual to learn about the different parts of their IEP that will help them succeed in their plans for life after high school.

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Your IEP Meeting: A Great Place to Practice Self-Advocacy Skills

Self-advocacy is a key step in becoming an adult. It means looking out for yourself, telling others what you need, and knowing how to take responsibility. No one is born knowing these skills. Self-advocacy skills are needed over a lifetime, and everyone has to learn them. Here is some great information that can start you on your way

Read the PACER Center PDF

Sample Self-Advocacy Plan

The most important part of self-advocacy is learning to share information about yourself with others. Use this tool to help you figure out what information you want to share with your IEP team at your next IEP team meeting.

Read the PACER Center PDF

My Student Snapshot

You're ready to go to your next IEP team meeting. You're excited about speaking for yourself and telling your IEP team in your own words what you want them to know about you, your disability, and your plans and dreams for the future. Where do you start? Use this Student Snapshot to help you plan what you want to say. Then practice it with your family or your IEP Case Manager before your meeting. Remember, you are the expert on you.

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Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Office for Civil Rights (OCR) describes the difference between the supports that are available to students with disabilities in high school versus in the college setting and how the process to get accommodations is different.

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College Disability Services

Seven things to know about college disability services and how they differ from high school are described by Understood.com to help families prepare for that next step.

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ASK Us - Transition Fairs

Cynthia Blackford discusses the importance of going to Transition Fairs that are offered through the AEA. Transition is helping students move from school or a special education setting to post-school activities.

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ASK US: Identification Cards

Cindy Blackford discusses how to obtain a Real ID with the Gold Star for your child with a disability.

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ASK a Family: Transition to College

ASK is pleased to share a candid conversation with a family that experienced a successful transition from high school to higher education. Mike Vratsinas and his mother, Stacy Briggs, share their story and advice for other individuals and families interested in pursuing higher education.

Watch the ASK a Family Webinar

TRANSITION TERMS

Use this 2-page document as a tool to identify important transition related vocabulary. Many of the terms include links to find additional information on the topic.

Learn more from Transition Iowa