Post-school Planning & Transitions
Transition services are designed to assist and prepare a student in special education to move from secondary education to the workplace or to higher education. Heartland AEA consultants assist schools, students and families in making transition plans.
Planning for adolescents’ post-school lives begins in Iowa by age 14, and it requires transition planning to be incorporated into the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.
Members of the IEP team (including parents and educators) can download the Transition Resource Guide as an aid during the transition process. Additionally, the Transition Planning Tool can be a helpful resource to families as they begin to consider their learner’s transition needs.
Age of Majority Resources
In Iowa, when a student turns 18, gets married or is incarcerated into the adult legal system, they obtain their educational rights. This means that their educational rights transfer to them. Age of Majority resources are available to help teachers, parents and students understand what educational rights students and parents have and what the transfer of rights means for them.
For more information, visit:
Preparing for College
Prospective college students with disabilities have countless resources available to make the transition to higher education less stressful. The College Resources for Students With Disabilities Guide was created by Affordable Colleges Online to help students and their families better understand the resources available to them. Key elements of the guide include:
- A comprehensive overview of the various cognitive, physical or other types of disabilities students face while attending school.
- Reviews of several technologies and advocate groups available to students who face various disabilities, such as ADD, autism and more.
- Tips and resources to help students transition from college to career.
- Information about scholarships and financial aid for students with disabilities.
Another resource, The Guide For Students With Disabilities To Succeed In College, provides tips and analysis, as well as tools and resources for students with disabilities to succeed in college.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act
In 2014 the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law. The WIOA requires schools and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) to jointly develop a system to ensure students achieve competitive integrated employment and do not work for a Community Rehabilitation Program at sub-minimum wage. Students who are potentially eligible include any student with a disability who is currently on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or covered under a 504 plan, regardless of whether the student has applied for or been determined eligible for IVRS. The video and accompanying materials linked below provide more information about the WIOA.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act Video & Materials
Contact
For more information or questions, contact the Heartland AEA regional office that serves your school district.