Transition Tips for Schools

Implementing a Transition-Focused IEP

The best transition plan will not prepare a student for adult life without the availability of many high quality options for implementation. There are several important components to consider in the implementation of a student's transition-focused IEP. These include special education services in high school settings, meeting graduation standards through general education, and School-to-Work activities. This section focuses on each of these components.

High School Special Education Services

Special Education services are designed to provide students with the instruction and support they need to be successful in courses and other activities leading to a smooth transition to adult life. This leaves special education teachers at the junior high/ middle school and high school levels with a multitude of important responsibilities, none of which include tutoring, helping students “catch up” with regular education coursework, supervising “special ed.” study halls, or being assigned to teach watered-down versions of academic courses.

In a study through the University of Minnesota, Aune (1991) interviewed high school students about what they were taught to do to compensate for their weaknesses. Their most common response was that people just told them to “try harder.” Aune also found that most high school students with learning disabilities had been taught few learning strategies.

You will find this and other useful information in the Transition Tacklebox.