Course 7: Transition Planning
Activity
Think about any of the major life areas for transition,
(living situation, career goals, community membership, etc.) and
select one area on which to complete the activity. Come up with
a long-term goal that reflects the particular area you selected.
For example: A long-term goal regarding living situation may be-
"To own my own home."
Now identify steps that must be taken toward achieving the goal of owning
a home. What knowledge, skills, abilities, resources and support must
be in place for home ownership? List these. Next make a list of subject
areas typically taught in school, (i.e. math, English, science, home economics,
etc.). Match the items on the first list to relevant subject areas taught
in school. Using the transition process (post-school outcomes, annual
goals, benchmarks, programs, services, modifications, etc), develop a
sample IEP goal for the area you selected. How might the course-work be
modified to allow inclusion in the regular education curriculum? Does
the process seem to flow forward providing opportunities to explore and
experience learning that is related to the goal area? Will this learning
provide greater insight and information into the identified goal area
to enable you to make an informed decision about what to do/where to go
next?
The answer to these questions should be "yes." A comprehensive
IEP process looks at each of the areas of transition in this manner.
Thus, the education program becomes truly individualized and meaningful.