The last cap and tassel have been tossed and the joy of the all night graduation party chaperoned by parents and favorite teachers has ended for Manuel and Tara. What they understand is that their time at Hamilton High School is over. What they don’t understand is what happens next. When the safety net of individualized services in high school is over for students with disabilities, the next step is the transition plan. A transition plan provides a bridge of appropriate services that further the educational and vocational safety net for students beyond the high school experience.
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is a legislative compliance requirement mandating that educational communities are legally held accountable for delivering specialized services to students with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) beyond high school. Under the auspices of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, students with disabilities at 16 years old must have a transition plan included in their IEPs (Individualized Education Programs). The plan includes provisions for additional services for students who may need to stay in high school for a specified timeframe (until they’re 21). Internship and job training in an appropriate vocational career field or help in transitional living housing are additional components that may be included in the IEP.
The implementation of transitional plans for students with disabilities is a major component of their IEP. For graduating seniors like Manuel and Tara, the nightmare of graduation can become the joy of graduation with effective transitional planning, if educators and parents start the planning early and involve students in every step along the way. Federal accountability of IDEA doesn’t insure school compliance or implementation of transition plans that have become next steps of life after graduation for students with disabilities. The core of transition must begin with the belief of true inclusion for students who have much to learn and more to teach a school community, a community and a nation about life after graduation for students with disabilities.
