Transitioning from High School to College for Special Education Students
Years ago, special education students were educated in a classroom down the hall. They were rarely provided interaction with their non-disabled peers, and their education consisted mostly of sitting in the class waiting to go home. A landmark civil rights decision in the1960's changed the face of special education forever, and today, special education students are federally protected and mandated to be educated in the least restrictive environment. This has led to many special education students making the decision to enter college. Currently there are more special education students in college than ever before in the history of America's public school system. Preparation for college in the field of special education is handled through a federally mandated transition program. A transition specialist works with the high school, the student and the family throughout the student's high school career, to insure the foundation is in place to support the student in transitioning from high school to college. Texas law dovetails with federal mandates to insure high school students that desire to go on to a post secondary education is provided the support to do so. "Transitional services have been mandated in t
105-17) provide for transitional services as a coordinated set of activities that address courses of study for students 14 years of age as well as a statement of needed transitional services and, as appropriate, interagency linkages for students 16 years of age(Harvey, 2001). Transition Specialist DutiesA transition specialist is a person who is charged with helping design and implements the transition program for special education students. Ideally the specialist will begin working with each special needs student between the ages of 14-18 years old. The specialist will insure that the student's IEP will contain a statement of transition service needs pertaining to the move from high school to college. In addition, the hearing officer found that such a transition plan could not have been based on the student's individual needs because the student tested significantly below grade level in all areas and would need far more extensive services than simply being told to investigate colleges on her own(Special Education Rights and Responsibilities http://www. "Transition specialists are charged with maintaining constant knowledge of the legal requirements with regards to transition and directing districts in how to comply with those laws effectively. ConclusionToday, more special education students than ever before are college bound. Transition specialists are trained in helping the IEP team design a goal oriented transition plan and overseeing the student's high school program to be sure those goals are being met along the way. Federal and state laws are in place to provide a transition plan for special education students leaving high school. A separate transition-planning meeting can be beneficial because it allows more time to focus on the student's desires and preferences.
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