Free Transition Iep Planning Resources And Sample Documents

Oct. 25, 2025, 2:04 p.m.

Tags: plan assessment document transit iep

Transition planning is a critical component of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities as they prepare for life after high school. By the time students reach age 16, federal law requires that their IEP includes a transition plan, though some states begin this process as early as middle school. These plans help students prepare for whether they'll continue their education or enter the workforce directly after graduation. The provided resources offer various free tools, samples, and guidance documents to support educators, parents, and students in developing effective transition plans.

Components of Transition Planning

Transition planning involves several essential elements that must be included in every IEP. The documentation indicates that all transition plans must include a description of a student's strengths and interests. Additionally, effective transition planning typically involves:

Measurable post-secondary goals in education, employment, and independent living
Annual goals that support the achievement of post-secondary goals
Transition services and activities necessary to assist the student in reaching these goals
Collaboration with families and relevant agencies

The source materials emphasize that transition plans vary significantly in format and length. Some may be as brief as a few paragraphs, while others can extend to several pages, depending on the student's individual needs and the complexity of their transition goals.

The Role of Assessments in Transition Planning

Assessments play a crucial role in the transition planning process. They help identify students' goals and hopes, as well as the skills they need to be prepared for life after high school. Assessments also determine which skills students already possess and identify any gaps that need to be developed to prepare for their next steps.

The IEP team can use both existing information and formal or informal assessments in transition planning. To develop an accurate and comprehensive understanding of a student's skills and needs across different settings, it's important to gather multiple perspectives. This can be achieved by having various individuals complete assessments, including:

The student themselves
Parents or family members
Teachers
Other service providers

Each of these individuals can provide valuable insights into the same skill areas, creating a more complete picture of the student's abilities and needs.

Free Assessment Resources for Transition Planning

Several free resources are available to support the assessment process in transition planning. These tools help IEP teams determine appropriate transition services, supports, and goals based on assessment information.

It's My Choice Workbook

The "It's My Choice" workbook is identified as a free downloadable resource that helps facilitate self-advocacy and transition planning for students with significant disabilities. This workbook appears to be designed to empower students by involving them directly in their transition planning process.

Transition Planning Guide

Another free resource is the "Transition Planning Guide," which provides important questions and topics to be considered for adulthood for any individual with a disability. The guide covers comprehensive areas including:

Physical and mental health
Housing
Transportation
Education
Employment
Money management
Social and leisure activities
Community involvement
Family support
Public safety

T-Folio Online Transition Portfolio Tool

T-Folio is described as a free online transition portfolio tool specifically designed for high school-aged youth with disabilities. This curriculum provides lesson plans and tips to help youth build self-determination and job-readiness skills through a series of interactive exercises. The digital nature of this resource allows for easy updates and accessibility for both students and educators.

Sample Transition IEP Documents and Exemplars

Sample transition IEP documents can serve as valuable references for developing individualized plans. The provided source materials mention several specific examples and resources:

New Hampshire Exemplars

The Parent Information Center (PIC) and the New Hampshire Department of Education collaborated to develop two exemplar IEP transition plans: Ryan and Sarah. Both IEPs are included in the "Life After High School Transition Toolkit," an 80-page PDF document from PIC published in 2018. These exemplars likely provide concrete examples of how to structure transition plans for different students with varying needs.

Ryan's Transition Plan

One specific example mentioned is Ryan's case. Ryan will graduate at age 21 with a certificate of attendance. His employment goal is to become a state trooper, and his annual goals include steps to test the viability of that goal. This example illustrates how transition plans can include long-term goals with incremental steps to help students explore and work toward their aspirations.

Heidi Wyman's Transition Planning Worksheet

Heidi Wyman, a New Hampshire-based transition consultant, developed a Transition Planning Worksheet that resembles the NHSEIS IEP format. This 3-page PDF document from 2020 is designed to be used in transition conversations with students and families. The worksheet likely provides a structured framework for discussing and documenting transition planning elements.

Case Examples from Various Sources

The source materials also mention that case examples of transition IEPs are available for high school students with varying needs. These examples highlight the importance of measurable post-secondary goals in education, employment, and independent living. Each case illustrates the steps taken by IEP teams to:

Assess student strengths and preferences
Develop annual goals
Outline necessary transition services and activities

These examples emphasize collaboration with families and agencies to ensure successful transitions to adulthood.

How to Access These Free Resources

While the source materials identify several valuable resources, specific details about how to access them are somewhat limited. However, the following information is provided:

The "It's My Choice" workbook is available as a free download
The "Transition Planning Guide" is also available as a free download
T-Folio is accessible as a free online tool
The New Hampshire exemplars (Ryan and Sarah) are included in the "Life After High School Transition Toolkit" from PIC
Heidi Wyman's Transition Planning Worksheet is available as a 3-page PDF document

For educators, parents, and students seeking these resources, contacting the Parent Information Center in New Hampshire or checking with state education departments may provide additional guidance on accessing these materials.

Conclusion

The provided source material is insufficient to produce a 2000-word article. Below is a factual summary based on available data.

Transition planning is a vital component of IEPs for students with disabilities as they prepare for life after high school. The provided resources offer various free tools, samples, and guidance documents to support this process. These include assessment resources like "It's My Choice" and the "Transition Planning Guide," as well as sample documents such as the New Hampshire exemplars and Heidi Wyman's Transition Planning Worksheet.

These free resources can help IEP teams develop comprehensive transition plans that include measurable post-secondary goals, annual goals, and necessary transition services. By utilizing these tools, educators, parents, and students can work together to ensure successful transitions to adulthood, whether through continued education, employment, or independent living.