New Horizons: Guide to Student Transition

IDEA '97 and Transition Services
Laws are written to protect us. They are usually hard to understand. Below is a section from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA ’97) which outlines transition services. Basically, what this law says is that we need to create a transition team to help the student. The team creates a transition plan that is part of the IEP. All plans that are made must be based on the student’s wants and needs. Transition plans must look at four areas. These areas are: instruction, life in the community, getting a job, and daily living skills.

Transition Services Are:
“…a coordinated set of activities for a student which are designed within an outcome-oriented process and which promote movement from school to post-school activities including but not limited to : post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, supported employment, continuing adult education, adult services, independent living, and community participation”

“…based on an individual student’s needs and must take into account student preferences and interests, and shall include needed activities in the following areas: instruction, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living skills and functional vocational evaluation.”

In Berrien County’s Transition Plan you will find these areas (or domains) listed: Instruction/Related Services, Community Involvement, Development of Employment, Acquisition of Daily Living Skills.