How Will My Child Transition to Life After Graduation?

As your child gets older, the IEP team will design a program to help your child prepare for life after school graduation. This is called transition planning, and it is done through the IEP process. It facilitates the transition from school to the world of work or other activities.

By the time your child is 14, the IEP team must decide what kinds of transition courses your child will take. Examples include vocational courses, or courses to prepare your child for higher education, including college. Planning for the transition from school to adult living must begin when your child turns 16, or sooner if the IEP team believes early planning would be appropriate. The IEP team (including your child) must discuss what you and your child want your child to be doing when high school is completed. These plans must include the kind of education or training your child will receive, the kind of job your child might have, where your child will live, and how your child will spend time in the community.