1. Exceptional Lives
  2. Louisiana Guides
  3. Transition To Adulthood
  4. Transition Plans

The Basics of Transition Plans

The transition plan is a detailed plan for helping your child meet their goals for after high school.

  • There are transition services your child can get during high school to help them prepare for their goals in adult life.

  • A transition plan is a document that outlines these services and supports for your child.

  • You, your child, and the IEP Team should work together to write the Transition Plan when your child is 16 and attach it to the IEP.

  • This is not a legal document like the IEP. But your school is legally required to do transition planning with all students who are 16 or older and have IEPs.

The Transition Plan will address your child's challenges and needs for support in these areas:

Image showing the text 'Further education and training, Employment, Independent or supported living, Commuinty participation'

It will list and describe these things:

  • Goals for each area above (if it makes sense for your child)

  • Services that the school can offer to help prepare for these goals

  • The people or parties involved (the school, family, student and outside agencies)

  • Action steps that each party will take

Examples of services: job training, study skills classes, speech or occupational therapy, or social skills groups.

Image showing the differences between an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and a Transition Planning Form (TPF). 'The IEP is a legal document. The school district is required to follow it. The TPF is a planning tool,not a legal document.'

Image of an exclamation markMake sure the IEP includes goals that address the disability-related needs and support the future vision from the TPF.