1. Exceptional Lives
  2. Louisiana Guides
  3. Special Education Services
  4. Teens: preparing for transition to adulthood
  5. Transition planning to prepare for life after school

Transition planning for life after high school

Make sure that transition planning is in the IEP

Louisiana law requires that by the time your child turns 16, the IEP must include planning for their life after high school.

This is called transition planning.

Images of a diploma, a briefcase, a question mark, a teacher at a white board, and a Medical Folder.

Here's what you can do:

  • Don't hesitate to raise questions about transition planning with your child's teacher and the rest of the IEP Team.

  • Think about what you see your child doing after high school (or after they turn 22 and are no longer in a school program):

    • Living with you?

    • Getting a job?

    • Living in a group home?

    • College program?

  • Think about the skills they will need for this future and make sure those skills are reflected in the IEP.

  • Encourage your child to think about their interests, values, and future goals. Starting these conversations early will help with the transition process.

  • Give them opportunities to practice making decisions and to learn about themselves. These conversations will help the IEP team (including you!) create a transition plan that is really what your child wants.

  • Get advice from friends, teachers or service providers.

There are different graduation pathways your child can take. Their transition goals will help you decide which one is best for them.

Image of an exclamation point and a school house beside the text 'Kids with a disability have the right to be in school, with the services they need, until they are 22 years old or earn a high school diploma, whichever comes first.'

 

Sources: LA DOE, Louisiana Division of Administration