Community Connections at Pinckney/USD497 - Transition Assessment Toolkit

Transition planning for our students is a critical process, and at the heart of effective transition planning is age-appropriate transition assessment. This isn't just another task on our to-do list; it's the foundation upon which we build personalized and meaningful pathways to adulthood for each student.

Transition assessment is the systematic process of gathering information about a student's strengths, preferences, needs, and interests across all critical domains of adult life – employment, postsecondary education, independent living, and community participation. This information is not just a snapshot in time; it’s the driving force behind our individualized transition plans. By understanding where a student is now and where they want to go, we can create relevant goals, design impactful learning experiences, and ensure our students have the skills and supports they need for a successful and fulfilling life after graduation. Simply put: Assessment informs everything we do in transition planning.

Furthermore, transition assessment is a mandated component of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, as outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Specifically, IDEA regulations require that the IEP include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills. This ensures that our transition services are based on a comprehensive understanding of each student’s unique needs and aspirations, supporting their movement toward a positive future.

This document is designed to be a practical resource for you as you work to support students in their transition journey. We’ve compiled a web-based guide filled with various transition assessments, organized by the four key transition domains. Each assessment is designed to offer different types of data, and help to inform the individualized student’s transition plan.

How to Use this Resource:

This resource is organized using a website format to allow easy access to the assessment tools. Each domain (Education, Independent Living/Community Access, Vocational/Employment) has multiple assessment serving different purposes for you to explor. Consider what you already know about the student and what you need to know to implement effective transition planning. This will help inform what assessments you will want to use.

  • Browse by Domain: Simply navigate to the page for the domain you’re interested in, using the sidebar links.

  • Explore Assessments: Within each domain, you’ll find a variety of assessment tools, including examples of formal and informal assessments, as well as links to relevant resources.

  • Read the Descriptions: Each assessment will have a brief description outlining its purpose.

  • Choose Wisely: Select the assessments that are most appropriate for the individual student you’re working with. Consider the student's communication style, support needs, and learning style when making your choices.

  • Use the Data: The information gathered from these assessments should be used to develop individualized transition goals and services within the student's IEP. It should be a guide to determine needed supports, training, and learning opportunities.

  • Revisit: Assessment is not a one-time activity. Regularly update assessment information for the best possible outcomes.

By utilizing this resource, we can work together to ensure that every transition plan is based on data and directly reflects the unique strengths, needs, and aspirations of the students we serve. Let's work together to make transitions smooth and successful.

Community Agencies and Resources

This section includes Lawrence and Kansas-based resources as well as nationally recognized organizations and technical assistance centers focused on educating students with disabilities and/or on transition-related topics.

Open Access Transition Focused Web Resources

This section provides links to resources such as transition bell ringers, quick transition activities, and transition curricula.

Updates

This is a living document, meaning things can be added or removed as new resources are found or old resources are no longer relevevant. Please share anything you think should be included with Jennifer Burnes.

Many Thanks!

We want to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed resources to this document. We value the active participation and positive approach demonstrated by those who embraced this project with enthusiasm. Their collaborative spirit and dedication to improving our transition practices have been crucial in making this a valuable and impactful resource.