Transition services are services or supports that are designed to help students in their post-school lives, whether that be college or a career. Transition services are part of the requirement to provide a student with a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”). In the State of Texas, the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (“ARD”) committee must begin addressing a student’s transition to post-school life not later than when the student reaches 14 years old, and must be annually reviewed. For instance, a student’s IEP may include self-advocacy or management of home and personal finances goals.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (“OSERS”) issued “A Transition Guide” as part of an effort to ensure that students with disabilities are prepared with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage in the workforce.

The Transition Guide specifically addresses four topics: (1) Transition planning: opportunities and programs; (2) Transition services and requirements, as authorized by IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act; (3) Education and employment options for students and youth with disabilities after leaving secondary school; and (4) Supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities. The transition guide is a valuable resource for reviewing the transition services that must be provided by school districts and provides many resources and examples that may be valuable to a school district.

The full transition guide by OSERS is available online: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/transition/products/postsecondary-transition-guide-2017.pdf. Additionally, the Texas Education Agency provides secondary transition guidance available online: http://tea.texas.gov/index2.aspx?id=2147496883.