K-6 teachers are not required by state law to write a transition plan as part of the student's IEP. This does not mean that teachers and parents should not be thinking about the skills students will need to know in the future. Teachers can consider:
Does the child have interests and talents to help them choose their future vocation?
Does the child have areas of weakness to improve to prepare them for postsecondary education someday?
Are there life skills the student can learn to get ready for independent living?
7-12 Teachers
Once students reach the age of 14, teachers are required to include a transition plan including goals, and services as part of the student's IEP. IDEA requires students receive a transition plan as a part of their IEP during the year they turn 16. In the state of Utah, students must receive a transition plan in their IEP during the year they turn 14 (USBE, 2020). Teachers for these grade levels incorporate transition activities that include specific strategies to maximize student preparation for post- high schoo life.
Transition Coordinators
Another role found in some schools and districts is the transition Specialist. A transition specialist has specialized skills to support teachers in providing transition services to their students. The transition specialist may provide training, professional development, knowledge of current research in transition, and ideas for transition services to teachers (Morningstar & Clavenna-Deane, 2018). The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) defines the following seven areas in which the specialist should demonstrate their abilities in transition: assessment; curricular content knowledge; programs, services, and outcomes; research and inquiry; leadership and policy; professional and ethical practice; and collaboration (Division on Career Development and Transition, 2013).