Transitioning

According to the New York State Education Department, "Transition planning is a process that requires a partnership among the student, family, and school district and, as appropriate, other agencies that can provide transition activities to help students with disabilities move from school to adult life. By its very nature, transition planning is a collaborative effort and must be thought of as an ongoing process across multiple school years. Effective transition planning is based on the student’s strengths, preferences, and interests and focuses attention on how the student's educational program, including instruction and career and educational experiences, can be planned to help the student make a successful transition to his or her goals for life after high school."

Entitled vs. Eligible

Students are ENTITLED to programming while in public school.  

Once they exit school they have to be deemed ELIGIBLE for programs. 

"There is a vast difference between the entitlement to and eligibility for services for persons with disabilities. It is important for students who are transitioning from school to the adult world and their families to understand these differences" (https://pathfindersforautism.org/).  

"Entitlement means the fact of having a right to something; the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment " (www.orgcode.com/).

"Eligibility means the state of having the right to do or obtain something through satisfaction of the appropriate conditions" (www.orgcode.com).

Below is a transition checklist used by Person Centered Services that could help ensure your student is on track with what should be happening as they progress through school.

NTACT is a national resource to help with transition