Resources
NTACT’s purpose is to assist State Education Agencies, Local Education Agencies, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, and VR service providers in implementing evidence-based and promising practices ensuring students with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, graduate prepared for success in postsecondary education and employment.
This guide was a product of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in partnership with the American Institutes for Research. This guide addresses provisions authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act (1973) as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These make clear that transition services require a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability within an outcome-oriented process.
The student's transition from school to post-school activities is a shared responsibility. This transition guide addresses the following topics to facilitate a seamless transition from school to post-school activities: 1) Transition planning: opportunities and programs; 2) Transition services and requirements, as authorized by IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act; 3) Education and employment options for students and youth with disabilities after leaving secondary school; and 4) Supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities. This guide also includes “real life” examples, a sample flow chart of the transition process, and a glossary of key terms used in the transition process.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) provides a website dedicated to providing resources on how to assist in transition planning from high school to adulthood for students with disabilities. The webpage is also accessible in Spanish.
The Zarrow Center for Learning Enrichment’s mission is to facilitate “successful secondary and postsecondary educational, vocational and personal outcomes for students and adults with disabilities.” This website provides a wealth of resources that include, but are not limited to, transition assessments, transition educational materials (e.g., lesson plans and bellringers), transition curriculum options, transition activities, and other transition resources.
The Transition Coalition is located at the University of Kansas, Beach Center on Disability, and was created in order to maximize professional development opportunities for secondary transition and college and career readiness of youth with disabilities. This website has resources that, if accessed, will lead to effective change in transition planning practice. Within the website, there are free online training modules that provide research-based online training that uses up-to-date research in transition, effective practices in professional development, and materials and resources for implementation. Beyond training resources such as the online modules and available webinars, the Transition Coalition has a webpage dedicated to transition planning tips that have been posted by experts in the field. A free account can be created to make the website experience more personal.
The website houses a Learning Center webpage that provides guidance for parents, educators and students with disabilities on the following: Middle and high school transition planning; post-secondary education; Employment; Benefit program and supports; Independent and community living; and Laws and rights.
The link to the IGP/IEP Guidelines provides a district checklist to assist with transition planning; and guidance on what to bring to IEP meetings if the IGP meeting is held with the IEP meeting or how to collaborate if the meetings cannot be held at the same time.