Guides
Transition planning overview
Transition planning helps secondary students with IEPs prepare for life after high school: education, training, employment, and independent living. Start earlier than the last semester.
The problem this guide solves
Families often learn about transition only when paperwork appears. This overview explains what transition planning is for, what documents usually contain, and what to ask. State age triggers differ; confirm your state's rule and your district's practice.
What transition planning includes
Under IDEA, transition services are a coordinated set of activities focused on improving academic and functional achievement to facilitate movement from school to post-school activities. The IEP typically includes measurable postsecondary goals and transition services needed to move toward those goals.
Student voice matters. Age-appropriate transition assessments, preferences, and interests should inform the plan. Invite the student to participate in meetings in a way that fits their communication needs.
Topics teams often cover
- Postsecondary education or training goals
- Employment goals and work-based learning
- Independent living skills when appropriate
- Course of study aligned to those goals
- Linkages to adult agencies (when appropriate and with consent where required)
Practical steps for families
- Ask when your state and district begin formal transition planning in the IEP.
- Request copies of transition assessments and how results were used.
- Connect annual IEP goals to postsecondary goals instead of treating them as separate stacks of paper.
- Ask about diploma pathways, course requirements, and summary of performance near exit.
- For Texas families, also use SPEDTex and TEA family resources for state-specific materials.
Related pages
- Topics · IEP meeting prep
- Texas ARD · SPEDTex
- Directory for agencies and parent centers
Official sources
Not legal advice. Transition requirements and ages vary by state. Confirm with official sources.