Preparing for the Life After School
The transition from secondary school to post-secondary destinations is an exciting yet challenging time for many students. For students with Special Education needs, the probability of a successful post-secondary transition is significantly increased when schools collaborate with the student, parents/guardians, employers, community agencies, and providers of further education to develop coordinated transition plans, as required under Regulation 181/98, “Identification and Placement of Exceptional Pupils”. To support a student with Special Education needs in making the transition to life after high school, whether the transition takes them to work, further education, and/or community living, the transition process must consider the spiritual, physical, emotional, and learning needs of the student. Transition goals for all students must be realistic and should reflect the strengths, needs, and interests of the student.
The York Catholic District School Board makes every effort to guide students with Special Education needs to reach optimal independence as they leave high school and seek to live out their God-given potential. In an effort to support all YCDSB students with Special Education needs to achieve this goal, the YCDSB Student Services department has designed and developed inclusive and evidence-informed transition practices, resources, tools, supports and programs with strong connections to external partners and services. This broad range of resources is intended to empower students, parents/guardians, and school board staff to support a successful transition to post-secondary destinations for students with Special Education needs, thereby paving the way for the student’s future success. All aspects of this strategy are in alignment with the Ontario Ministry of Education guidelines for transition planning outlined in Special Education in Ontario: Kindergarten to Grade 12, 2017 and in Transition Planning: A Resource Guide, 2002.
The IEP Transition Plan for High School Students
As part of the Individual Education Plan (IEP), a plan for the student’s transition from secondary school to a post-secondary setting must be developed with input from the student, parent(s)/guardian(s), the principal, school staff, community agencies, and post-secondary institutions, as appropriate. The plan should reflect the student’s needs and goals for his or her future. The transition plan must include the following elements:
- Specific goals for the student’s transition to post-secondary activities. The goals must be realistic and must reflect the strengths, needs and interests of the student.
- The actions required, now and in the future, to achieve the stated goals. The actions identified must consider the student’s identified strengths, needs, and interests.
- The person or agency (the student, parents, educators, providers of specialized support and services, community agencies) responsible for or involved in completing or providing assistance in the completion of each of the identified actions.
- Timelines for the implementation of each of the identified actions.
(Excerpt from MOE website, Transition Planning)
Community Partners
Through our longstanding partnerships, YCDSB works directly with York Region community services to support student transitions. This includes, supporting Transition Meetings, co-hosting information sessions, implementing training, and promoting awareness with students, staff, and parents. These sessions will be posted in our “News/ Upcoming Events” section of the website.
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