If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live a life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. 
-- Henry David Thoreau

Tri State Transition Guide

Transition planning is an outcome oriented process that promotes the movement from school to post-school activities. For the two decades, special educators and vocational rehabilitation specialists have worked with students and parents as they navigate, plan and develop transition strategies. The key to this process is to look at the day after graduation and work backward. Where will the student work? Live? Go to college? How will she achieve her goals? Who will help him? The transition timeline is from age 14 until graduation or the age of 21.

Guidelines for different ages:

Elementary School

• What kinds of supports does the student need now?
• Is the student participating in the SOL assessments with or without accommodations?
• Does the student use assistive technology and if so, is it light tech or high tech?
• Is the student's curriculum functional in nature?
• Do you anticipate that the support need will dissipate or increase over time?

Middle school

• Take a look at the student's Course of Study. What is the student's area of interest?.
• Is the student in an academic course of study toward a standard or advanced studies diploma?
• If there has been no discussion about a diploma, it's time to study all options.
• In what kinds of self-determination activities has he been involved?

High School

• Has the student participated in age appropriate transition and/or career assessments?
• What type of diploma will your student earn?
• Documentation is KEY: colleges and adult service agencies need proof of the student's disability.
• Does your student understand his/her needed accommodations for assessments including SOL, SAT, and/or ACT?