Middle School

Transition Services in Middle School

Building the Foundation for Future Success

What Middle School Transition Planning Means

Transition planning begins in middle school, when students are learning about themselves and starting to think about the future. These early steps help students build self-awareness, develop independence, and prepare for the new expectations of high school. At Lawrence Public Schools, transition services at this level are designed to promote student voice, family engagement, and future readiness, creating a strong foundation for high school and beyond.

Transition Tasks at the Middle School Level

• Promoting Student Voice & Vision: Students are encouraged to take part in their IEP meetings, understand their goals, and learn about the services that support them. They begin expressing their own ideas for the future and identifying personal strengths and interests.

• Transition to High School: Students and families discuss how expectations change in high school, including workload, independence, and graduation requirements. Teams explore what level of support the student may need, review the high school application process (if applicable), and learn about extracurricular opportunities.

• Transition Assessments: Transition assessments help identify each student’s strengths, needs, preferences, and interests. These may include classroom activities, interest inventories, or informal interviews. The results guide the team in setting goals and services that reflect the student’s developing vision for life after school.

• Transition Planning Down the Road: Early participation in transition planning helps families and students make informed choices later about coursework, services, and postsecondary options. Building familiarity with transition concepts in middle school helps the process feel natural and empowering in high school.

In middle school, students learn about themselves and what they might want for the future. In high school, they apply that knowledge to make informed choices about classes, experiences, and long-term goals, all while earning credits toward graduation and preparing for adult life.

What changes on the IEP during transition planning?

For students turning 14 (or earlier, if appropriate), the IEP begins to include transition-related goals and activities. These may focus on self-advocacy, organization, independent skills, or career awareness. The student’s voice and vision become central to shaping their goals and future planning.

💬 Questions for Families to Discuss

• What does my student enjoy learning about or doing?

• How can we support independence at home and school?

• What questions do we have about high school expectations or supports?

• How can we help our student feel comfortable participating in IEP meetings?