Secondary Transition

Secondary transition planning is the process of preparing students for life after high school and includes planning for postsecondary education or training, employment, and independent living. The following are processes for secondary transition evaluation expectations:

1. Federal requirements outline that students must have a transition evaluation completed by age 16.

2. State requirements outline that students must have a transition evaluation completed by grade 9.

3. Local requirements outline that a transition evaluation be completed during the natural evaluation timeline in grades 7, 8, or 9.

SWMetro utilizes local requirements to best serve and meet the needs of students.

Secondary transition planning is the process of preparing students for life after high school and includes planning for postsecondary education or training, employment, and independent living. Legally, practices in the area of secondary transition planning are driven by IDEA 2004 (34 CFR§ 300.320(b) and (c)) .

When a student begins secondary transition planning, the IEP changes from only planning for one year at a time to instead planning for the student’s future after graduation. The ultimate goal for all students is to leave high school college- and/or career-ready. For students with disabilities, preparing for college, career, and community life requires intense and purposeful planning on the part of the IEP team. This planning begins with age-appropriate transition assessments that identify the students strengths, preferences, interests, and needs. It continues with the creation of postsecondary goals. The rest of the IEP, including transition services and IEP goals, is designed to support the student in reaching the postsecondary goals they’ve identified.

The Secondary Transition pages on this website will guide case managers in completing a due process compliant transition IEP. However, creating a truly successful transition IEP is much more than due process. It requires comprehensive and continuous transition planning and collaboration with the student, parent, school, community, and outside agencies.

Transition Planning Flow Chart

This flow chart created by St Croix River Educational District illustrates the sequential process of transition planning. If a student has had a transition evaluation, transition goals and services should be discussed first during the annual IEP meeting because the student’s postsecondary plans should drive the conversation for the rest of the meeting.