Secondary Transition can be thought of as a bridge between school programs and the opportunities of adult life, including higher education/training, employment, and independent living. The process is facilitated through the development of a transition plan, which is required by Indicator 13 from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B.
The transition plan is developed in collaboration with the entire IEP team. It is not separate from the IEP, but a part of it. The student’s voice is the focus of the plan. The team walks the student through a series of steps to identify the student’s measurable postsecondary goals (MPGs), services, and supports. All decisions made for the transition plan are based on data gathered from age-appropriate transition assessments. Student strengths are required to be a part of the data collected and used to develop the MPGs. It is important to meet all requirements of the transition plan.
As part of the secondary transition experience, students who had an IEP in place upon exit will be contacted by someone from their high school one year after they have exited the Arizona school system.
Every school that serves transition-aged students with disabilities is required to participate in the PSO Survey every year. The requirement is set per IDEA and is oftentimes referred to as Indicator 14.
When students are contacted for the PSO Survey, school staff host a conversation that addresses the survey questions designed to capture student engagement in postsecondary education/training or employment. Data obtained from the PSO Survey facilitates results-driven analysis and improvement to secondary transition programs at the state and local levels. Please visit the PSO page for more detailed information regarding PSO Surveys.
There are 17 Indicators, four of which are related to Secondary Transition: Indicators 1, 2, 13, and 14
Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team, certain secondary transition components must be included in the IEP. Required components include:
These components are required for students of all special education disability categories who are receiving specialized education services documented in an IEP and are 16 or older.
Information about Summary of Performance A summary of academic achievement and functional performance, including recommendations to assist an exiting student in meeting his or her measurable postsecondary goals for students whose eligibility terminates due to graduation from high school with a regular diploma or exceeding the age eligibility for free appropriate public education (FAPE), must be developed.
Post School Outcomes (PSO) Survey (Indicator 14) Requirements All Arizona students who had an IEP in effect at the time of exiting high school as a graduate, drop-out, or by aging out will be contacted to take the Post School Outcomes (PSO) Survey one year after leaving school. Conducting the PSO Survey is the responsibility of the school or district from which the student exited and takes place from June through September each year.
The Arizona State Board of Education establishes the requirements for graduation from high school. The minimum course of study and competency requirements are outlined in Title 7 Chapter 2 of The Arizona Administrative Code. The minimum course of study can be found in State Board Rule R7-2-302. These requirements apply to all students in Arizona schools, including students with disabilities.
Arizona Technical Assistance System The Arizona Technical Assistance System (AZ-TAS) develops documents to assist school personnel and parents in navigating through the special education process. Each document guides the implementation of the legal requirements in the specified area and is reflective of current practices in the field.
One of those documents focuses on Indicator 1, the graduation of students with disabilities. For more information on this topic, review the frequently asked questions document that addresses various aspects of this conversation.
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: the Collaborative (NTACT:C) The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) is a Technical Assistance (TA) Center co-funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
The Arizona Community of Practice on Transition (AZCoPT) Team meets regularly to collaborate, develop, and coordinate transition services, professional development, and resources related to improving the transition experience for youths who have disabilities. The Arizona Community of Practice on Transition is dedicated to the practice of shared leadership and using Leading by Convening as a framework to guide our work.
The AZ College and Career Competencies Project is a collaborative initiative led by the Arizona Department of Education and the University of Kansas Research Collaboration that works to develop career-equipped, lifelong learners. The goal is to impact all students by providing participating middle and high school educators with increased understanding, instructional skills, and ongoing coaching to better embed skill development into students’ core content areas over time (i.e., addressing content standards and college and career competencies simultaneously).
An Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP) An ECAP reflects a student’s current plan of coursework, career aspirations, and extended learning opportunities in order to develop the student’s individual academic and career goals.
Employment First encompasses the belief that community-based, integrated employment should be the primary day activity for working-age youths and adults with disabilities.
With support and funding from ADE/ESS Special Projects, Diverse Ability Incorporated (DAI), is offering a pilot project where up to 50 students will be supported in developing a person-centered plan through the use of a peer facilitator. As an extension to the IEP team, the peer facilitator will assist the student to develop a person-centered plan that will promote the student’s choices and ability to achieve the life he or she wishes to lead.
We are connecting educators and other stakeholders to DAI for this exciting opportunity. By completing this survey, you are either requesting more information or you are demonstrating interest in your student(s) to receive this service. Despite the limited number of students that will be serviced, a representative from DAI will reach out to everyone on this list to discuss the project.
The Arizona Department of Education Exceptional Student Services Unit (ADE/ESS) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)/Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) are collaborating to improve access to Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) in Arizona for eligible youths.
Per-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
What are Pre-ETS? Pre-ETS are funded by RSA/VR and are available to students with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 22. Pre-ETS are specific career exploration and job readiness services that help students with disabilities to prepare for future employment. Pre-ETS are provided via workshops that are short in duration and related to the following topic areas: Job Exploration Counseling, Work-Based Learning, Counseling on Post-Secondary and Training Opportunities, Work Readiness Training, and Instruction in Self-Advocacy. For additional explanation of Pre-ETS and possible workshop topics that may be offered, please read the Pre-ETS Overview.
Transition Tuesday is a webinar series dedicated to providing opportunities for students, educators, and families to connect with community resources and representatives that support the secondary transition planning process and help youths and young adults with disabilities to increase their postsecondary success.
The Secondary Transition team offers recordings of professional learning opportunities from the 23-24 school year. Recordings are organized by date in ascending order. For the most accurate captions when viewing a Zoom session recording, please click on the "CC" button in the video toolbar and select "Audio Transcript."
Sign up for email list updates related to Secondary Transition! Please use the link below to also edit or cancel your subscription to the Secondary Transition or Post School Outcomes email lists.
Do you have questions about Secondary Transition? Do you need technical assistance support or professional development on Indicator 13? We want to hear from you!
Secondary Transition specialists provide services statewide and are based in the Phoenix and Tuscon areas. For general questions, please email the Secondary Transition Inbox.
Mailing address:
1535 W. Jefferson Street, Bin #24 Phoenix, AZ 85007
In partnership with ADE/ESS, the College and Career Competencies (CCCs) Project invites you to tune into a Fall 2024 professional learning opportunity for educators: Developing More Resilient Learners Through Self-Efficacy Instruction.
