Postsecondary Transition

What is Postsecondary Transition Planning?

Transition planning is a coordinated set of activities focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of a student with disabilities to promote the student's movement from school to life after high school.

For students with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), the student and their families work with their IEP team to create measurable postsecondary goals, a student’s vision for adult life.

Just like annual IEP goals, postsecondary goals in a transition plan must be written with a result in mind or you have to be able to know if the goals have been met or accomplished.

The IEP team will carry out the plan so the student has opportunities to learn the skills they need to achieve their postsecondary goals.

When Does Transition Planning Occur?

In Ohio, students with disabilities ages 14 or younger, if appropriate, formally enter into the secondary transition planning process. A truly successful transition process is the result of comprehensive planning that is driven by the student's preferences, interests, needs, and strengths. This comprehensive planning moves students forward successful future outcomes in competitive, integrated employment, education, and independent living.

ODE Secondary Transition and Workforce Development for Students with Disabilities

This website through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce contains great resources and helpful links to program and initiatives to support postsecondary students and their families.

The transition planning process occurs annually until the student exits school services.

Transition Services
The ESC of the Western Reserve offers several transition services options. The link will take you to the "Transition Services" page where you will find helpful toolkits and links, information, and available service options.

Resources for Postsecondary Transition

Employment First Video for Charting the LifeCourse Tools for Transition Assessment and Planning
This framework helps individuals and families of all abilities/ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live.

OCECD Youth Self Advocacy and Empowerment
A wonderful resource to help students learn how to advocate for themselves in regards to their needs and aspirations so they may thrive at school, their job and in their community.

OCECD "It's My Turn" Online Learning Course
"It's My Turn" (IMT) is a self-determination training for students age 14 to graduation to help guide students in fulfilling their hopes and dreams after high school.

OCALI Lifespans Transitions Center
The Lifespan Transitions Center works to equip communities to support the successful and unique transition of individuals with disabilities to ensure they can live their best lives for their whole lives.

Transition to Employment: Agency Navigation Tool
Developed by Employment First, this "Transition to Employment Agency Navigation Tool" provides an excellent overview of agency assistance and support to help guide you through the transition process.

ODE Career Pathways
A collective look at education and training, wage and outlook information for related occupations. Offers an overview of the various career options along with education and training that can begin as early as grade 7.

OCECD Transition IEP Checklist
Here is just another checklist to use as a resource for Postsecondary Transition provided by OCECD.

"IEP Transition Planning: Preparing for Young Adulthood"
Understood.org is an excellent resource for an overview of information on various aspects of the special education planning process. This article gives a nice overview of Postsecondary Transition Planning.

Postsecondary Transition: Building the Future - Updated May 2019
Created by The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD), this booklet provides a detailed overview of the planning process for your student in transition age.

Tip Sheet for Postsecondary Transition
Created by The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD), this sheet provides a basic overview of the planning process for your student in transition age.

NTACT Transition Planning Tools and Resources
NTACT, National Technical Assistance Center on Transition, provides extensive resources and tools to guide the process of transition planning - encompassing assessment and skill development to plan for success beyond school.

Postsecondary Transition Checklists & Resource Sheets for Geauga/Lake Counties

Postsecondary Transition Tips for Parents & Students with IEPs
This provides a basic overview of what Postsecondary Transition is, tips about the process, and basic terminology.

Parental Checklist for Postsecondary Transition Planning
This provides a timeline with items that should be completed or considered at a specific age range. This is for parents, guardians, and staff to complete with their students and/or review in transition meetings.

Resources for Postsecondary Transition Planning
For use in conjunction with the checklist, provides live links to the Ohio, Geauga, Lake, and Geauga agencies, websites, etc., to help complete the items listed in the checklist. In order the links to work, you must download and save the PDF.

Ohio Department of Education Secondary Transition Roadmap
Created by the Ohio Department of Education, this visual checklist contains an overview and active links to further information for the entire span of a special education student's secondary transition journey.

Charting the LifeCourse Framework
Charting the LifeCourse is designed to be used for your family members or for yourself. The framework and tools will help you organize your ideas, vision, and goals, as well as problem-solve, navigate, and advocate for child's needs and services.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)
Offering a range of services to help students with disabilities 14+, OOD works together with students, families, schools/colleges, and community partners to provide services that promote successful transitions to careers and adult life.

OOD Career Pathways Toolkit
Provides valuable information, including typical job duties and wages, what credentials are needed to get a job, where and how to get started in training, additional supports you may need while you are working towards your credential.

OOD Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Overview

Employment First

Employment First
The Ohio Dept of Developmental Disabilities and state agencies have teamed up to ensure people with developmental disabilities across Ohio have access to the supports needed to have a job in the community. The website has amazing resources and info!

Helpful Resources for Postsecondary Transition from Milestones

Milestones Autistic Planning (MAP) Tool
Milestones goal is helping autistic individuals reach their unique potential. Milestones Autistic Planning (MAP) Tool shares lessons learned from families, autistic individuals and professionals to support individuals learn life skills.

Milestones Adult Planning Checklist for Independent Living
This checklist includes the essential skill areas an adult needs in order to live independently. In each category, Milestones provides examples of skills and knowledge to learn.

Ohio Department of Education Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements for Ohio