Future Planning/Planning for Post-22

What is Transition Planning?

Transition planning is the development of a student's program and instructional activities based on their individual post-school goals. For students with disabilities, transition planning is an integral and critical part of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process. In the state of Illinois, transition planning begins when the student is 14.5 years of age. 

Best practices in transition planning involve programs and instructional activities that address student needs to move from school to the adult world in the areas of working, living in one's community, social and interpersonal networks, and other areas that impact a student's overall quality of life. 

In Illinois, students are eligible to receive special education services through the end of the school year they turn 22 if needed. Graduation will be considered at each IEP after high school to determine student readiness to leave school.

Timeline

Transitioning from school into adulthood is a process with critical steps that need to be taken throughout your child's life to help reach your child's post-school goals. The following lists suggested activities that should be completed throughout the process to help the planning journey, and are broken down by categories of ages and areas of future planning (work, post-school education/training, living, recreation/leisure, medical, and financial/legal). 

It's recommended that this checklist be reviewed as early as the elementary school years so that you will have a complete understanding of the transition process. Many of the suggested activities overlap and are ongoing, as the list is a guide to help you through your planning journey.