Transition planning services begin at age 14 when the student is invited to IEP meetings and focus on preparing the student for when they leave the public education system.  Each IEP from this point forward will include a Transition Planning Form (TPF) that includes the student's Postsecondary Vision, Disability Related Needs and an Action Plan to help the student achieve their vision. 

Transition planning goals should consider 

• What the student needs

• What are the student's skills

• What the student likes doing 

• What the student's goals are

The action plan should consider actions that can help the student achieve their goals including 

• ​Academic and non-academic courses

• Employment and other training opportunities

• Independent and community living options

Since students' goals and needs vary widely no two transition plans will look the same. The purpose of the plans is to help ensure the IEP team is focused on working to ensure the student is as well positioned as possible to achieve their goals upon leaving the public education system.

For More Information

Official Resources

A Family Guide to Transition Services in Massachusetts-  Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Transition Resources - Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Transition Planning Form - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Secondary Transition - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Basic Rights: Transition Planning Part 1 (Video) - Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Basic Rights: Transition Planning Part 2 (Video) - Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Basic Rights: Transition Planning Part 3 (Video) - Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Basic Rights: Transition Planning Part 4 (Video) - Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

Technical Assistance Advisory   - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Transition Goals in the IEP - Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)

General Resources

What is IEP Transition Planning? - Understood.org

Transition Timeline - Youth on the Move, ICI, UMass

IDEA 1997 Transition Issues - The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)  

Planning Your Future: A Guide To Transition - National Center for Learning Disabilities

Please note that we at Reading SEPAC cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented on any third-party website listed on this site, nor do we endorse any informational content appearing on third-party websites of any of the providers listed. We endeavor only to provide a listing of potentially helpful information available. Its up to you, as a consumer, to do your own diligence and research. Also note that any summarization of the laws, rules, regulations, processes or similar related to special education, or advice proffered is based exclusively on the experience of Reading SEPAC members as parents of children with special needs. Its in no way an official reflection of the position of the FCSA or the Reading School system and we make no claims of expertise in communication, law, education or any other areas. While we have endeavored to provide simple-to-read language for parents, we are not experts, do not claim to be, and make no warranties or claims of accuracy related to the informational content of this website.