Transition Assessment

Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Assessment Transition Packet

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Assessment Transition Packet was designed to assist those individuals who might need a structured, coordinated effort that involves collecting data on students' strengths, preferences, and interests related to their postsecondary goals. The matrix is a sampling of different assessments that may be used to define those goals.

You can also download the packet and the matrix in pdf format.

The experts say:

A planned, continuous process of obtaining, organizing, and using information to assist individuals with disabilities of all ages and their families in making all critical transitions in students’ lives both successful and satisfying. (Clark, 1998)

Assessment should be individualized since each student comes to the process with a unique set of needs. (Sitlington et al, 1996)

One type of assessment should not be the sole source of data collection. (Clark, 1998)

IDEA 2004 Regulation states:

Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16 and then updated annually thereafter, the IEP must include:

Appropriate measurable post-secondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and independent living skills, where appropriate, independent living skills.;300.320(b)(1)

Using various age appropriate transition assessments helps the student and other members of the IEP team

develop goals and objectives related to the student’s goals after high school completion,
make decisions about the course of study, and
uncover accurate information concerning the student’s interests, preferences and needs for the present level of performance.

Prior to the selection of assessments to measure interests, preferences, strengths and needs of the individual, pre-existing information should be located and examined. Formal assessments are needed only after completing thorough interviews, observations and a review of student records.

Types of transition assessments include: behavioral assessment information, aptitude tests, interest and work values inventories, intelligence tests and achievement tests, personality or preference tests, career maturity or readiness tests, self determination assessments, work-related temperament scales, and transition planning inventories.

Links

View the links below to obtain assistance in answering the following questions about the transition assessment process.

How do you assess students; interests and preferences?
How do you assess students; strengths and needs?
Who is available to assist in the assessment process?

Newsletters

The Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professionals newsletter is available on their website.

Podcasts

The IEP Process for Secondary Transition using an outcome-oriented process is a podcast of Ed O'Leary.

This podcast of a presentation by Gary Clark and Jacque Hyatt on "Using Assessment Information for Planning Transition Services."

Websites

Career Planning Begins with Assessment: A Guide for Professionals Serving Youth with Educational and Career Development Challenges. Youth service practitioners will find information on selecting career-related assessments, determining when to refer youth for additional assessment, and additional issues such as accommodations, legal issues, and ethical considerations.

The Vocational Information Center: Career and College Planning Resources. This page provides links for students and guidance counselors including resources to self-assessments, career planning, career development and college planning.

Assessing Students with Disabilities: Transition Planning for the IEP is a website developed by Gary Clark at the University of Kansas.

Presentations

A Transcript of NCSET teleconference call held on October 25, 2005, with associated PowerPoint. Presented by Joe Timmons, (Project Coordinator) and Mary Podmostko, (Senior Project Associate) from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth and titled ‘Career Planning Begins with Assessment.

PowerPoint developed by Pamela Leconte, the George Washington University and Lecestor Johnson at the 2006 PA Community on Transition Conference.

Retrieved August 30, 2007, Web site: http://www.nsttac.org/pdf/transition_guide/nsttac_tag.pdf