Secondary Transition Planning

The California Department of Education (CDE) Secondary Transition Planning web page offers resources and guidelines for assisting educators, parents, and agency partners to improve compliance with state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to transition age youth and improve post-high school outcomes.

The Secondary Transition web pages are organized based on the following six categories:

• Employment
• Education & Training
• Independent Living
• Compliance
• Guideposts for Success
• Employment First Policy

The Secondary Transition Planning web pages also provide information on how to comply with elements 1-6 of the Indicator 13 requirements of the California Annual Performance Report (APR).

These resources supplement the California Transition Alliance’s document, Transition Planning: The Basics (PDF; 5MB). The following table shows which pages of the Transition Planning: The Basics PDF support each topic:

Employment

School Preparation | Career Preparation | Youth Development | Family | Collaboration | WorkAbility I

Resources and guidelines for educators, parents, and agencies that will assist transition age youth to identify and move toward their postsecondary employment goals. The employment section of this site offers links to resources that help students set and achieve their postsecondary employment goals and plan for their future. It also provides links to resources for teachers, parents, and other youth-serving professionals. It is divided into sections that address school preparatory experiences, career development and work-based learning, youth leadership, family role, and collaboration with key stakeholders.

California Department of Rehabilitation
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) provides services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.

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School Preparation

School-based preparatory experiences occur in the classroom and educational environment. As students prepare to transition from the K-12 educational system into adulthood, there is a strong focus on employment. This section focuses on engaging students in instruction, career assessment, career exploration, and career planning. Evidence-based practices that have proven effective in the classroom are career awareness, work experience and work-based learning.

Curriculum and Instruction

Integrating Career Awareness Curriculum (PDF)
A guide for integrating career awareness into the classroom.

Buck Institute for Education Project Based Learning
In Project Based Learning (PBL), students go through an extended process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. Rigorous projects help students learn key academic content and practice 21st Century Skills such as collaboration, communication and critical thinking. This site provides resources for understanding and implementing PBL.

Transition Coalition E-Jam Assessment
Registration on this site would allow log in, and review of peer reviewed assessments.

Career Exploration and Research

California Career Resource Network E-Portfolio
Includes assessment resources, student e-portfolio, California Career Center, California Career Zone, and Career Surfer Mobile Application.

California Career Zone
The California CareerZone helps students, educators, jobseekers, and others access up-to-date information on wages, job openings along with great information on career.

O*NET
O*NET Online is a tool for career exploration and job information. It has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, students, and more.

My Next Move
A user-friendly version of O*NET for students and job seekers with easy-to-use search and career overviews and links to the Web-based Interest Profiler.

Labor Market Career Exploration Tools
Includes California Career Guides, employment projections, employers in the region and in your community.

• State of California Employment Development Department
• State of California Employment Development Department, Overview – Labor Market Information

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Career Preparation

Career preparation and work-based learning includes experiences and instruction that take place in the community or brings community partners to the classroom. These opportunities help youth build confidence and develop the skills needed to make informed choices about their future employment goals. This section focuses on engaging students in career exploration, career preparation, job search, and employment. Evidence-based practices that have proven effective in preparing youth for employment are career awareness, vocational education, and work experience.

Career Exploration

California CareerZone
The CareerZone provides career exploration assessments that link students to over 900 occupations, with details that include preparation needed to enter an occupation, the median California salary and much more.

Connect Ed’s Work-based Learning
This comprehensive resource provides clarity for teachers, partners, and others who are seeking to implement a system of high-quality, outcomes-driven work-based learning for students. It defines a set of activities and outcomes ranging from career awareness to career preparation.

Road Trip Nation
Videos of informational interviews, curriculum resources and strategies to research career opportunities.

National Youth Employment Coalition
The National Youth Employment Coalition is designed to give youth a full range of educational, developmental, vocational, economic and social opportunities that they may need to become a productive and self-sufficient individual in society. The website offers resources such as career exploration and educational opportunities for students, parents, and teachers that would be useful throughout the transition process from high school to the post-secondary environment.

DOR Student Services
The DOR offers pre-employment transition services (known as DOR Student Services in California) to all students with disabilities in California who are eligible or potentially eligible for vocational rehabilitation services. These provide job exploration and other services in the early stages of the transition process to assist students with disabilities to begin to identify and prepare for postsecondary education and employment.

Career Preparation and Research

Career Technical Education Programs
Programs of study that involve a multiyear sequence of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers.

Regional Occupational Centers & Programs (ROCPs)
ROCPs are designed to provide quality career preparation and technical education. ROCP provides training, industry certifications and links to employment opportunities. Many courses are dual enrollment courses. Students receive high school or community college credit.

Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Planning
This article helps high school students plan for careers and lists resources to assist with job seeking, career exploration, and more.

Employment Resources

California DOR
The DOR provides services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.

California Department of Developmental Services
The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is dedicated to providing services and supports for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to live the life of their choosing in their communities.

California Conservation Corps (CCC)
Offers students employment and continuing education opportunities protecting and restoring California’s environment and responding to disasters, becoming stronger workers, citizens and individuals through their service. Some CCC sites offer residential services.

Disability Benefits
Disability Benefits 101 gives you tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment. Users can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.

Job Corps
A free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) credential, and find and keep a good job. For eligible young people at least 16 years of age that qualify as low income, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life.

AskEARN
Connects employers with national networks of available job seekers to support the recruitment, hiring, and retention of people with disabilities. The site also includes soft skills tips, including interview and resume tutorials.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test (ASVAB)
Test required for joining the military.

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Youth Development

Youth Development and youth leadership are critical to helping youth with disabilities meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. It is important that they learn the leadership skills and self-advocacy skills needed for achieving their postsecondary employment goals and success in the workplace. Teaching self-advocacy is an evidence-based practice that has proven effective in preparing youth for employment.

Self-Advocacy

Wright’s Law
Site shares articles, resources for understanding self-advocacy.

Disability Rights Advocates
This non-profit organization works to promote equal rights, fair treatment and opportunities for people with disabilities. The site offers information on how to get help if you feel your rights have been violated.

California Transition Alliance
Resources for youth, including the Let's Work! California Networking Activity Guide.

ACT: Advocating Change Together
Self Advocacy tips for individuals with disabilities written by individuals with disabilities.

Job Accommodations

Job Accommodations Network
This site provides extensive information on disability rights, Americans with Disabilities Act and accommodations. The information briefs describe disabilities to employers and family members.

back to Employment

Family

Families support, guide, mentor, and advocate for youth as they progress toward successful transition outcomes in employment. This section focuses on what families can do to help their young adult transition to employment. An evidence-based practice that has proven effective in preparing youth for employment is a high level of parent involvement throughout the entire transition process.

Parent Role in Transition to Employment

California Department of Developmental Services
The DDS works to ensure Californians with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to make choices and lead independent, productive lives as members of their communities in the least restrictive setting possible.

Connections California: Transition to Adulthood for People with Disabilities
Explore transition planning for tweens and teens, self-advocacy, education and training, work preparation, and adult life.

Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
This site provides a wealth of information for parents of children with disabilities, including very helpful information on transition planning.

Family Empowerment Centers (FECs)
FECs support families of children and young adults with disabilities in California and helps families understand and navigate the special education system by connecting them with local FECs.

Seeds of Partnership
Explore websites, articles/publications, videos and action tools that relate to Family Engagement, supporting educators, parents, guardians and families of children with disabilities.

Seeds of Partnership – FECs
FECs provide training and information to families of children and young adults with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22 in California. They aim to assist parents to better understand their child’s educational and developmental needs, effectively communicate with service providers, serve as a resource for the IEP process, participate in school reform and improvement activities, promote alternative dispute resolution, and support positive relationships between parents and professionals.

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Collaboration

Collaboration with programs and agencies that support youth with disabilities enhances the potential for students to be prepared for employment. Collaboration with general education also assists students to participate in programs with a career focus. It is important to research what is available at your local school site regarding career technical education pathways, dual enrollment classes (high school/community college), and career-related student organizations. Evidence-based practices that have proven effective in leading youth to successful employment are inclusion in general education, providing student support, and ongoing interagency collaboration.

General Education Programs and Options

The Four A’s of Managing the Placement and Service of Students with Disabilities in the Career Technical Education (CTE) Classroom (PDF)
A brief that provides strategies for working collaboratively with CTE teachers to accommodate youth with disabilities.

Career and College Awareness Lesson Plans
A set of age-appropriate lessons for grades 5 through 12 based on California resources and educational standards.

Agencies that Provide Support for Employment to Youth with Disabilities

California Department of Rehabilitation
The DOR works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.

California Department of Developmental Services-Information Packet for Consumers and Families
The DDS is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Social Security
Provides information and resources for youth, family and professionals regarding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, benefits planning, and employment issues.

back to Employment

WorkAbility I

WorkAbility I
A California Transition Program

back to Employment

Education & Training

School Preparation | Career Preparation | Youth Development and Leadership | Family | Collaboration

Resources and guidelines for educators, parents and agencies that will assist transition age youth identify and move toward their postsecondary goals in education and/or training.

The National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) has identified evidence-based practices in secondary transition planning that lead to positive post-school outcomes in education and training for students with disabilities in general education settings and curriculum. This includes the development of self-advocacy and study skills tied to the youth's postsecondary goals, career awareness opportunities, activities that support achievement of goals and participation in postsecondary education and training, and meaningful parent involvement throughout the entire transition process.

School Preparation

School-based preparatory experiences occur in the classroom and the educational environment. This section focuses on engaging students in instruction, providing academic support, and developing a course of study that will prepare youth for postsecondary education and training opportunities.

Common Core Academic and Career Technical Education Standards

Common Core Resources for Special Education
Resources and guidelines on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for the special education community.

Common Core and Transition Goals for the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
PowerPoint and tools from Connecticut.

Goalbook Toolkit
An online resource for teachers for developing IEP goals aligned with CCSS.

Edutopia
An array of project-based learning resources to engage students in experiential learning.

Access and Support for Postsecondary Education

Big Future College Board
Resource for students to request testing accommodations for College Board administered exams (e.g. PSAT, SAT, or AP tests).

Courses of Study

California Transition Alliance
Webinars and supporting documents related to courses of study and triangulating annual goals.

California State University (CSU) Mentor
This site provides middle and high school course of study planning tools and information about preparing for applying to study at a college in the CSU system.

University of California Admissions
This site provides admission information to students preparing and applying to study at a University of California campus.

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Career Preparation

Career preparation and work-based learning is experience and instruction that occurs in the community, or brings community partners to the classroom to help you develop confidence in making informed choices about their future employment goals. This section focuses on exploring postsecondary education, postsecondary training, and certification opportunities.

Postsecondary Education Exploration

California Colleges
The official site for college and career planning for California. Explore colleges, programs and financial aid.

California Career Center
Provides links to apprenticeship programs, private and technical schools, colleges and universities and state and national community service opportunities.

Open the Door to College
Provides information about California’s higher education options for students with intellectual disabilities and autism.

UC Services for Students with Disabilities
UC provides special assistance and services to support students with disabilities so they can participate fully in campus programs and activities.

UC Davis Redwood Seed Scholars Program
The Redwood SEED Scholars Program (Supported Education to Elevate Diversity) at the University of California, Davis is designed for students in California with intellectual disabilities.

Postsecondary Training

California Community Colleges
This site offers information about all the community colleges in California. It provides information about what course offerings are available, degree and certificate programs, and financial aid. You can compare college offerings among the community colleges. Explore offerings for vocational certificates for specific career interest. Check out community education programs at the college you select. Some colleges offer classes in photography, wellness and fitness, writing, communication skills and a variety of other topics.

Salary Surfer
To help students and their families make important decisions about investing time and money in a college education, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, through Salary Surfer, is providing comparative information about the earnings of recent California community college graduates who received an award in a specific program of study.

Certification Programs

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Offers 10-hour safety training that qualifies workers for jobs in construction and entry level positions that require handling tools, lifting, forklift operation and others. Training is provided by employers or career-technical education programs.

California Restaurant Association
This site is an example of training offered through various industries. Everyone who works with food is required to have a food handler’s permit that is offered through career-technical education or employers.

American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational Institute
This site offers information about the array of training that is available for hotel and lodging employees.

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Youth Development and Leadership

Youth development and youth leadership are critical to helping youth with disabilities meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. It is important that they learn the leadership skills and self-advocacy skills needed for achieving their postsecondary education and training goals. This section focuses on study skills, learning styles, and self-advocacy.

Study Skills, Learning Styles

LDPride.net
Provides learning style assessments, study skills hints and other resources for students.

Transition Assessment and Goal Generator
The Transition Assessment and Goal Generator (TAGG) is an online transition assessment with validity and reliability evidence, and it consists of Professional, Student, and Family versions for High School, Alternate, and Middle School. The TAGG automatically provides a norm-based graphic profile, present level of performance statement, lists of strengths and needs, and suggested IEP annual transition goals based on the identified greatest student needs.

Transition Coalition
Registration on this site would allow log in, and review of learning styles resources.

TestTakingTips.com
Tips for taking tests, study skills and note taking.

I’m Determined
Self-Advocacy resources, tools to prepare students to lead the IEP, goal setting tools.

National Consortium on Disability and Leadership for Youth (PDF)
Am I Learning to Lead is a self-assessment of your leadership skills.

Self-Advocacy in College

California Career Center
Tips for determining accommodations you may need in school.

Wright's Law
Self-Advocacy tips, Navigating College Handbook, and information and links to a variety of resources for all disabilities.

Described and Captioned Media Program
PepNet Tip Sheet: Transitioning to College describes the challenges a young person who is hearing impaired faces as they plan for college, PepNET – transition Curriculum to help youth who are hearing impaired plan their future.

Perkins Scout
An information clearinghouse on blindness and visual impairment. Downloadable transition tools and resources for students who are visually impaired or blind.

Accessibility.com
Disability etiquette tips for communicating with people with disabilities.

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Family

Families provide support, encouragement, and guidance to students as they pursue postsecondary education and training. This section focuses on the information parents need to help their children navigate the expectations of postsecondary education.

Parent Role

College Parents of America
College Parents of America is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of current and future college parents. It summarizes great sources of information for current and future college parents to help their children prepare for and succeed in college.

Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Preparing for College

National Gateway to Self-Determination
A resource that explores the self-determination skills needed for college success.

Seeds of Partnership
Explore websites, articles/publications, videos and action tools that relate to Family Engagement, supporting educators, parents, guardians and families of children with disabilities.

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Collaboration

This section focuses on identifying collaborative opportunities, including programs and agencies that support youth with disabilities. Partnerships with local organizations and agencies strengthen students’ preparation for postsecondary education and training by expanding access to resources, services, and real-world learning opportunities. Exploring available postsecondary education and training options in the local community is a critical step in effective transition planning.

Preparing for College

Gear Up
The goal of the program is to significantly increase the number of low-income middle and high school students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

Programs that Provide Support

California Department of Rehabilitation
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) provides services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.

California Community College Student Support Services

California State University System Student Support Services

Student and Equity Affairs

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Independent Living

Resources and guidelines for educators, parents and agencies that will assist transition age youth identify and move toward their postsecondary goals in independent living.

As students prepare to transition from the K-12 system into adulthood, it is important they acquire the skills to enjoy a quality life. Living skills are essential for all youth, including youth with disabilities.

The National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) has identified evidence-based practices in secondary transition planning that lead to positive post-school outcomes. Opportunities to learn independent living skills will lead to a smooth transition.

Support for Independent Living

California Department of Rehabilitation
This site provides information and links to resources related to mobility, assistive technology, employment services, and job readiness.

Independent Living Skills

Life Skills Checklist (PDF)
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center.

Assessment

The Transition Health Care Checklist: Preparing for Life as an Adult (PDF)
A resource to help youth and young adults with special health care needs and disabilities make a successful transition to adult living that includes their education, health and community living.

Transition Health Care Checklist: Transition to Adult Living (PDF, 10MB)
Department of Health, State of Pennsylvania
A comprehensive transition planning tool that inventories readiness to transition and explores an array of transition issues, including health and wellness factors.

Health and Wellness

Office of Disability Employment Policy (PDF)
Healthy Transitions: A Pathway to Employment for Youth with Chronic Health Conditions and Other Disabilities. This policy paper examines strategies to achieve employment for youth with chronic health issues.

Transition Health Care Checklist
A tool to evaluate transition needs and health care needs.

Office of Disability Employment Policy Healthy Transitions (PDF)
Healthy Transitions: A Pathway to Employment for Youth with Chronic Health Conditions and Other Disabilities.

Financial Literacy

Disability Benefits
Disability Benefits 101 gives you tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment. Users can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.

CalABLE
CalABLE is a savings and investment plan offered by the state of California to individuals with disabilities.

Jumpstart Coalition
Financial literacy resources for youth, families, and teachers.

Compliance

Resources and guidelines for educators, parents, and agencies that will assist transition age youth develop transition plans that comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This section also provides resources that assist state, regional, and local educational agencies meet compliance standards related to implementing IDEA mandates for secondary transition for youth with disabilities.

National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT)
NTACT's purpose is to assist State Education Agencies, Local Education Agencies, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, and VR service providers in implementing evidence-based and promising practices ensuring students with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, graduate prepared for success in postsecondary education and employment.

NTACT: Secondary Education

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
ODEP was authorized by Congress in the Department of Labor's FY 2001 appropriation. Recognizing the need for a national policy to ensure that people with disabilities are fully integrated into the 21st Century workforce, the Secretary of Labor delegated authority and assigned responsibility to the Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy. ODEP is a sub-cabinet level policy agency in the Department of Labor.

Guideposts for Success

A document developed by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that identifies key educational and career development interventions.

The Guideposts for Success – What All Youth Need to Successfully Transition into Adulthood

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) work in the youth arena is based on the Guideposts for Success . The Guideposts represent what research and practice has identified as key educational and career development interventions that make a positive difference in the lives of all youth, including youth with disabilities. ODEP developed these guideposts in collaboration with one of its research and technical assistance centers, the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth), following an extensive review of research and best practices in education and workforce development.

The Five Guideposts for Success:

• School-Based Preparatory Experiences
  
• Career Preparation and Work-Based Learning Experiences
  
• Youth Development and Leadership
  
• Connecting Activities
  
• Family Involvement and Supports

Employment First Policy

This section provides resources and guidance for implementing the Employment First Policy (PDF) and supporting educators, parents, and partner agencies in helping transition-age youth with disabilities develop postsecondary goals that lead to competitive integrated employment (CIE).

The Employment First Policy provides a direction for the evolution of developmental services by establishing the value of work firmly within the Lanterman Act and makes it the “highest priority” that the developmental services system strives to make regular jobs, with regular pay, a real option for people with developmental disabilities.

Association of People Supporting Employment First
Employment First resources.

Advisory Committee on Increasing CIE for Individuals with Disabilities
Describes the committee as a key part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Competitive Integrated Employment Blueprint
The California CIE Blueprint is the combined effort of the CDE, DOR, and California Department of Developmental Services, in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including Disability Rights California (DRC) with leadership provided by the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHSA). The purpose of the Blueprint is to increase opportunities for Californians with ID/DD to prepare for and participate in CIE.

• California Blueprint for Success (DOCX)

Competitive Integrated Employment Toolkit
The CIE toolkit was developed to facilitate the collaboration necessary to implement secondary transition services across agencies at the state, community, and student levels and increase the use of evidence based practices.

Employment First Dashboard
The Employment Data Dashboard presents data on how well California is doing in implementing California's Employment First Policy.

Employment First Report (PDF)
The 2023 Employment First Report developed by the California’s State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Ideas for Implementing Employment First Activities

What is Employment First?

On October 9, 2013, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1041 (Chesbro), which establishes in statute an Employment First Policy (PDF).

It is the policy of the state that opportunities for integrated, competitive employment shall be given the highest priority for working age individuals with developmental disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disabilities.

What does that mean for the student?

Competitive integrated employment is a real choice for people with developmental disabilities. It will be a full or part-time position at or above minimum wage.

What is integrated employment?

Integrated employment refers to working at a job commonly found in the community in which individuals with disabilities are working with peers without disabilities.

What is competitive employment?

Individuals with disabilities are paid a wage consistent with the wage paid to non-disabled peers for the same task.

Will a student lose benefits if they work?

Students need to meet with their support agencies to develop the necessary plan to protect their public benefitsExternal link opens in new window or tab..

Activities Leading to Employment Readiness

Ideas for School-Based Preparatory Activities Leading to Employment Readiness

• Enroll students in classes aligned with State standards
• Enroll students in career technical education classes utilizing curriculum based on industry standards that align with their post-secondary employment goals
• Utilize person centered planning when developing transition individualized education programs (IEPs)
• Use multiple measures to assess students
• Implement individualized and specific accommodations for students allowing them to participate in academic programs

Ideas for Career Planning and Work-Based Learning Activities Leading to Employment Readiness

• Administer career assessments to identify students’ interests and strengths
• Provide career research opportunities for students
• Provide instruction to develop job seeking skills
• Provide job shadow opportunities for students
• Provide job coaches
• Provide exposure to non-traditional job opportunities (i.e. self-employment)

Ideas for Youth Development and Leadership Activities Leading to Employment Readiness

• Provide students with peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities
• Provide self-advocacy and conflict resolution instruction
• Provide students with role models
• Provide self-esteem building and leadership opportunities

Ideas for Connecting Activities Leading to Employment Readiness

• Assist students in learning about transportation options and provide mobility training as needed
• Assist students in learning how to make purchases and manage their money
• Assist students in developing outside agency connections
• Invite appropriate agencies to IEP meetings with parent permission
• Assist students in developing connections with community resources such as recreational activities

Ideas for Family Involvement Leading to Employment Readiness

• Assist families in developing high expectations for their children with respect to self-sufficiency
• Actively involve families in transition planning
• Assist families in learning about post-secondary employment options for their children
• Assist families in communicating with outside agencies

More information on the WorkAbility I program can be found on the California Department of Education (CDE) website.

More information on Department of Rehabilitation Student Services can be found at the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) website.

A list of Regional Centers can be found at the Department of Developmental Services website.

Developed by Family Transition Network under the direction of the CDE.