Transition assessments are, typically, informal assessments done every year by a case manager to find out what a high school student wants to do after they are done with high school. There are often questions about what job the student wants, if they want to continue their education, and about current employment and hobbies. They are mandated under IDEA and can be inspected as part of state audits of special education.

Here is what IDEA says about transition assessments:

• (VIII) beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16, and updated annually thereafter—
  • (aa) appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills;
  •  

Unfortunately, post-school outcomes for individuals with disabilities are not great. Employment rates are low and many people with individuals struggle to live independently. As a result, supports for transitions are a key part of IDEA. The goal of transition services is to help a student get from an idea of what they want to do after high school to actually getting there. So the transition services part of the IEP is where the school says what it is going to do to help the student realize their goals and ambitions (as documented in the transition assessment).

What IDEA says about transition services:

• (VIII) beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16, and updated annually thereafter—
  • (aa) appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills;
  • (bb) the transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals; and
  •  

High school transitions are not the only ones covered in IDEA. There are requirements about transition planning and transition meetings for children going from an IFSP to an IEP (0 to 2 services to 3+ services). The requirements for going from an IFSP to an IEP are really similar to those for high school transitions. There has to be a transition plan and a transition meeting– and there is a LOT of language in IDEA about what that is supposed to look like.

What IDEA says about IFSP to IEP transition planning:

(9) Transition from subchapter III to preschool programs

• Children participating in early intervention programs assisted under subchapter III, and who will participate in preschool programs assisted under this subchapter, experience a smooth and effective transition to those preschool programs in a manner consistent with section 1437(a)(9) of this title. By the third birthday of such a child, an individualized education program or, if consistent with sections 1414(d)(2)(B) and 1436(d) of this title, an individualized family service plan, has been developed and is being implemented for the child. The local educational agency will participate in transition planning conferences arranged by the designated lead agency under section 1435(a)(10) of this title.

AND

A statewide system described in section 1433 of this title shall provide, at a minimum, for each infant or toddler with a disability, and the infant’s or toddler’s family, to receive—

—-

• (3) a written individualized family service plan developed by a multidisciplinary team, including the parents, as required by subsection (e), including a description of the appropriate transition services for the infant or toddler.

AND