Transition Services
The term “transition services” means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that—
- Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;
- Is based on the individual child’s needs, taking into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests; and
- Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.
- Includes appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills;
- Includes transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals;
- Begins not later that the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16 years old, and updated annually thereafter.
Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD)
The Alabama Occupational Diploma is designed to meet the mandates of federal and state legislation, as well as incorporate “best practices” utilized in delivering transition services. The intent of this diploma option is to prepare students for independent/competitive employment upon exiting high school. The AOD sets high expectations for students with disabilities, emphasizes challenging academic standards, personal responsibility, employability skills, and job placement.
Young Adults in Transition (YAiT)
Young Adults in Transition (YAiT, pronounced
like "Wyatt") is a newly formed panel
of young adults with disabilities who will make
recommendations to state policymakers on
improving transition services.
Their mission statement is “Young Adults Helping Other Young Adults Transition to the
Real World.”
Their goals are to:
• Increase communication
between service providers
• Increase disability
awareness in the community
• Increase
resources to provide better transition services
Training iN Transition |
Alabama Post School Outcomes |
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“TNT” is Training iN Transition, a series of online training modules which includes modules for transition-age students, transition professionals and other stakeholders as well. The Alabama Department of Education and the Auburn Transition Leadership Institute (ATLI) continues to expand this training series each year, with updates and additions reflecting the progress of state and national transition polices and practices. Interested Participants Can Access Online Training Through the Auburn University ATLI Website. |
The Alabama Post School Outcomes Survey collects information from former high school students with disabilities, who have exited school for one year. These former students are asked questions about their work history since leaving high school and any additional education or training they may have had. The results of the survey responses are used to report Indicator 14 data to OSEP, and to provide online reports to participating school systems. |
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| State Interagency Transition Team (SITT) | Local Transition Planning Summit (LTPS) |
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 The Local Transition Planning Summit (LTPS) held in conjunction with the annual Alabama Transition Conference. Nationally renowned transition expert and author, Dr. Ginger Blalock guides and share data resources while facilitating goal development for school system teams, made up of 3-5 transition practitioners from areas including special education, rehabilitation, job coaching, transition coordinators, 504 coordinators, career technical education, counseling or mental health services, and administration. The Local Transition Planning Summit, bringing together cross-discipline groups to develop plans for delivering transition services to students with disabilities in their local Alabama communities. |
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Alabama’s State Interagency Transition Team (SITT), composed of statewide leaders representing special education, rehabilitation and disability services, secondary and higher education, advocacy, mental health, workforce and independent living organizations, students with disabilities, and parents. This cross-discipline team has developed a state plan for improving the collaboration, cost-efficiency, and quality of transition services for Alabama’s youth and young adults with disabilities. The purpose of this group is to develop a better understanding of each agency's role and responsibilities in service delivery for these young people, and to seek and implement new and better ways of providing secondary special education and transition services. SITT receives feedback and input from local interdisciplinary teams participating in the ATLI-hosted Local Transition Planning Summit. |
For more information about SES Transition, contact Susan Goldthwaite at sgoldthwaite@alsde.edu.
