Transition Planning
A Transition Plan will be a part of the student's IEP before he/she turns 16 years old. The Transition Plan is reviewed/revised by the IEP Team on an annual basis until the student either graduates or ages out from the Kern High School District.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines transition services as a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that are:
- 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;
- based on a child’s needs, taking into account the child strengths, preferences, and interests.
And includes:
- Instruction
- Related Services
- Community Experiences
- Employment and other post-secondary adult living objectives; and
- If appropriate acquisition of Independent living skills and provision of functional vocational evaluation.
(34. C.F.R. 300.43 (a)(1).) & (34 C.F.R. 300.43(a)(2).)
Transfer of Education Rights (Age of Majority)
When a student receiving special education services reaches the age of majority 18 years old certain legal rights regarding their education transfer from their parents or guardians directly to the student.
At this point, the student becomes responsible for making decisions about their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and other educational matters. Schools must inform the student and their family about this change before it happens and provide support to help the student understand and exercise these new rights.
If the student is not able to make educational decisions independently, the family can seek legal arrangements, such as guardianship or power of attorney, to continue advocating for the student’s education.
Resources and Websites
View the following websites for more information:
Conservatorship - California Courts
Guardianship - California Courts
Transition Websites & Resources
These sites provide information, tools, and guides about education, employment, independent living, and community participation.
- Community Agencies & Transition Planning Resources padlet: https://padlet.com/Special_Education_Transition/bbgh4d49wuds8oxh
- Social Security Red Book: https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/
- Parents Helping Parents: https://www.php.com/transition-to-adulthood/
Department of Rehabilitation: https://www.dor.ca.gov/- DOR Student Services: School Fact Sheet –This form gives an overview of the requirement and services available through DOR Student Services.
- Student Services Plan Request (DR 203)- This is the application to begin services.
- Consent to Release Form (DR 260)- This document allows DOR to have an open communication with staff from the Kern High School District.
- Academic accommodations: extended test time, note-taking assistance, alternative testing environments, or use of assistive technology.
- Instructional support: tutoring, specialized learning strategies, and academic counseling.
- Accessible materials: textbooks in alternate formats (e.g., digital, large print, Braille).
- Adaptive equipment or technology: screen readers, voice-to-text software, ergonomic tools
- Priority registration for courses.
- Liaison support between instructors and students regarding accommodations.
- Be enrolled at a community college or university, and
- Provide documentation of a disability (such as an IEP, 504 Plan, or medical verification).
- Student responsibility: In college, students must self-identify and request services; the college does not automatically provide accommodations.
- Confidentiality: Parents are not automatically involved; the student manages their own educational records.
- Services are access-based, not modification-based: Colleges provide accommodations that remove barriers, not alterations to curriculum or standards.
BC https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/services-and-resources/dsps/index.html
Taft College https://www.taftcollege.edu/disabled-student-program-services/
Center for Accessibility and Essential Needs (CAEN)
BC DSPS Fact Sheet & Student Information Handbook