The word “Transition” means change or movement.  While children and families experience many transitions over the years, three predictable transitions occur when:

• Reaching school age

• Approaching adolescence

• Moving from public school toward adulthood.

For students receiving support through Special Education, these transitions typically require more thought, planning, and preparation than other students may require. 

Transition planning should be a lifelong process in which stakeholders (student, family members, friends, and professionals) work together to develop a plan of action that will lead to a successful adult life.  As part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a student’s IEP will include plans for this transition, beginning at the age of 14 in Texas.

The purpose of transition services is to incrementally prepare students with disabilities to live, learn and work within the community by providing them with career and life skills, knowledge and experiences. Transition planning focuses attention on how the student's educational program can be planned to help the student make a successful transition to his or her goals for life after high school, including:

• Providing instruction and courses of study that is meaningful to the student's future and will motivate the student to complete his or her education

• Teaching students the skills and knowledge needed in adult life (including career development and occupational skills)

• Providing contacts (linkages) with adult agencies to provide a smooth transition

Transition in the IEP outlines a "coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability... within a results-oriented process that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child's movement from school to post-school activities”. 

*Refer to IDEA 2004 for the full text of Federal requirements. 

If there are continuing transition needs after completing high school credits required for graduation, students with a disability may be eligible to receive individualized transition services, through the age of 21. These may include the need to acquire the skills necessary for independent living or employment. These needs must be stated in the IEP and must include community-based instruction, learning experiences and other adult objectives.