Transition Planning Timeline

Building a Strong Foundation
Plan for your transition after District 128 all four years of your high school education. Focus on the steps in your planning and you will successfully reach your goals. Finding the right educational fit involves more than meeting entrance requirements. The school environment should be a place where you can be successful academically, emotionally, and socially. Your participation starts freshman year!

Activities to consider
Learn the specific nature of your disability, how it affects you in the classroom and community and how to explain it so others will understand your needs.

• Learn how to participate actively in your IEP, especially your transition plan, which is your plan to help you achieve your post-secondary goals.
• Learn how to advocate for yourself in developing your transition plan with your case manager and IEP team.
• Consider running a portion of your IEP meeting.
• Explore career options.
• Discuss future plans with your family, case manager, and guidance counselor.
• Become involved in school and/or community based activities that interest you and that might lead to a career.
• Talk to people in various professions to find out what they like and dislike about their jobs and what kind of education is needed.
• Develop your independence by learning how to use the accommodations, services and learning strategies that you will need in college or a training program, or in a work setting.
• Learn time management, study skills, self-advocacy, stress management and exam preparation strategies.
• Increase and improve your organization.  Use a calendar or planner to keep track of your assignments.
• Learn about Department of Rehabilitation Services for all students with disabilities or history of a disability. 

Learning About Yourself
Academic preparation, and specifically the rigor of your high school coursework, is the primary consideration for admission to most colleges and universities. All students have unique individual needs. Finding the right educational fit involves more than meeting entrance requirements. As you begin thinking about your options, ask yourself if the school environment is a place you can be successful academically, emotionally, and socially?

Activities to consider

• Actively participate in your IEP transition planning with your case manager and IEP team.
• Consider running a portion of your IEP meeting.
• Participate in extracurricular activities, hobbies and work experiences.
• Identify interests, aptitudes, values and opportunities related to occupations in which you are interested.
• Continue to explore careers.
• Develop self-advocacy skills.  Be able to communicate your needs clearly and participate in developing positive solutions.
• Meet with your guidance counselor to be sure you are meeting your graduation requirements
• If you have room in your schedule, consider volunteering or getting a part-time job.
• Keep working on your organizational skills.  
• Work on your independence.  Learn how to do your laundry, start your homework independently, get yourself up in the morning without assistance.
• Attend College/Career Fairs (CHOICES/OPTIONS/Career Fair)
• Learn about Department of Rehabilitation Services for all students with disabilities or history of a disability. Work with your school transitional and vocational coordinator/transition specialist/transition counselor on questions and applying to become a client.

Planning YOUR Future

Everyone should have high expectations and great dreams for success in life.  What you may have to do, however, is adjust your thinking about the manner in which you will achieve your dreams.  Keep your expectations high but adjust your post-high school education plans to fit your individual needs. 

Activities to consider

• Continue to participate in your IEP transition planning with your case manager and IEP team.
• Continue your involvement in school and/or community based activities.
• Focus on matching your interests and abilities to appropriate college and/or career choices.
• Identify the appropriate academic adjustments, accommodations and services that you will need in the postsecondary setting and learn how to use them efficiently.  (Be sure to include assistive technologies such as electronic devices and specialized computer software.)
• Keep a current list of the accommodations and services you use in high school.
• Take the SAT test in the spring.  Consider taking the test more than once, especially if you have prepared for the test using sample questions or taken a test prep course.
• Establish and investigate a possible career goal. (You can still change your mind).
• Learn how to advocate for yourself--not everyone will understand your disability or be sensitive to your needs.  Learn when, how and if to disclose your disability to others.

If college bound

• Familiarize yourself with the College Resource Center (CRC)
• Meet with college reps who visit CRC, and/or attend college fairs to learn about admissions procedures.
• Gather information about college programs that offer the disability services you need.
• Visit campuses to get a tour and meet with the admission reps as well as the disability offices to verify the available services and how to access them.  
• Attend the Financial aid presentation to gain an understanding of how to pay for college.
• Learn about Department of Rehabilitation Services for all students with disabilities or history of a disability. Work with your school transitional and vocational coordinator/transition specialist/transition counselor on questions and applying to become a client.

There are many facets to life after high school. Your ultimate post-high school goals may include education, full-time employment, living independently in the community, and having the problem solving skills to handle the demands of adult living.  

Activities to consider

• Meet with your guidance counselor in September to discuss your plans.
• Continue to develop your advocacy skills and study skills.
• Students request accommodations from teachers
• Be as academically independent as possible, especially if college bound.
• Refine time management, study skills, assertiveness training, stress management and exam preparation strategies.
•  Learn about Department of Rehabilitation Services for all students with disabilities or history of a disability. Work with your school transitional and vocational coordinator/transition specialist/transition counselor on questions and applying to become a client.
• Student led IEP meeting.

If college bound

• Attend the senior college planning meeting to learn about the application process.
• Continue to visit college campuses during days off school or on weekends.
• Take the SAT again, if appropriate.
• Apply for financial aid and scholarships.
• Prepare your applications carefully, paying close attention to instructions and deadlines.  
• Organize transition information so it contains at least the following:
• Copies of your current psychological and educational evaluations.
• Transcripts.
• Standardized Test Scores.
• Current or latest IEP.
• Medical records (if appropriate).
• Current list of academic accommodations and related services you may need in college or a workplace (be sure to include assistive technologies.)

Adapted from Virginia’s College Guide for Students with Disabilities (2003 edition). Available at www.pen.k12.va.us