The completion of high school is the first step toward becoming an adult. There are many
choices and decisions that must be made to plan for future outcomes. These decisions may
include pursuing vocational instruction or further academic education, getting a job, and living
independently. Making these choices may seem complex and overwhelming for students and
their families. Therefore, planning for the transition to adulthood must begin years before
graduation occurs.
Transition is a process described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA,
1997, P.L. 105-17), which leads to student and family selected outcomes for students with
disabilities once they have completed high school. Transition is the process of planning for a
child’s passage from early intervention services to school based services. It is also a process of
planning for a student’s life once s/he graduates from high school. Transition is a process that
shapes decision-making about the student’s desires for adult life. These post-school choices
include where an individual will work, live, study, and integrate into the community. Transition
molds decision-making about the course of the student’s education in order to meet post-school
outcomes.