What are transition services?

Transition services are activities that prepare students with disabilities to move from school to post-school life. The activities must be based on the student"s needs, preferences, and interests, and shall include needed activities in the following areas:

  1. Instruction

  2. Related services

  3. Community experiences

  4. Development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives

  5. Acquisition of daily living skills (when appropriate)

  6. Functional vocational evaluation

Does everyone need a transition plan?

Transition plans are built into the student"s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). All youth with disabilities, ages 15-21, must have transition components in their IEPs. Pioneer Central opts to begin such planning at age 12 as students, parents and teachers complete and collaborate on Level I assessments (a detailed reflection on student"s strengths, interests, and learning styles).

What are schools required to do about providing transition services?

For special education students, the Committee on Special Education (CSE) is required to address a student"s need for transition services in the student"s Individualized Education Program (IEP) beginning at age 15. When transition will be discussed and decisions made about transition services, the CSE is responsible to invite the student, his or her parents, and representatives of participating agencies that are likely to be responsible for helping to provide some of the transition services. If a student does not attend the meeting, the CSE must take other steps to be sure the student"s preferences and interests are considered in planning for the transition services. A student"s need for transition services is reviewed and revised, as appropriate, every year based on the student"s transition service needs identified on the IEP.

What parts of my child's IEP tell us about transition services?

  • Present Levels of Performance indicate your child"s current transition service needs. This section also summarizes a Level I Assessment which takes the form of an interest survey completed with the student and parent(s).

  • Post-School Outcomes record your child"s hopes for the future, as an adult.

  • Goals/Benchmarks tell what transition skills will be developed this year and how this will be done.

  • Related Services tell what related services will help the student to meet transition goals.

  • Participating Agencies tell what community agencies will also provide transition activities.

  • Coordinated Set of Activities lists the transition activities your child will receive this year.

  • *Part 200 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education contains transition requirements in the following 

    • Sections:

      • 8 NYCRR 200.1 (jj) Definition of Participating Agency

      • 8 NYCRR 200.1 (fff) Definition of Transition services

      • 8 NYCRR 200.4 (d)(2)(i)(viii) and (ix) IEP Content re: Transition

      • 8 NYCRR 200.4 (d)(4)(i)(c) Participants at CSE Meetings to Discuss Transition

      • 8 NYCRR 200.4 (e)(6) Responsibility When Participating Agency Does Not Provide Services

      • 8 NYCRR 200.5 (c)(2)((vii) Notice of Transition Meetings

      • Developed by Doris Jamison-NYS VESID