Secondary Transition: Helping Students with Disabilities Plan for Post-High School Settings
Challenge
View the movie below and then proceed to the Initial Thoughts section (time: 2:30).
Transcript: Challenge
Narrator: Meet Luke.
Luke: Hi, I’m Luke.
Narrator: He’s an ordinary high school kid, an ordinary high school kid who has a disability. And not long from now, he’s going to graduate.
Luke: Yeah!
Narrator: But Luke’s about to learn that there’s more to graduation…and the transition from high school…than just getting a diploma.
[Record Scratch]
Luke: Wait. What?
Narrator: Maybe Luke will decide to go to college.
Luke: Hhhmm, I don’t know.
Narrator: Or get a job.
Luke: That’s good. A job is good. Or college. Not sure.
Narrator: But he’s going to have to do a lot more.
Luke: Uh-oh, this doesn’t sound…
Narrator: He’s going to need to know how to find a place to live that’s right for his needs.
Luke: I don’t know how to do that.
Narrator: And he’s going to need to learn about self-advocacy, sticking up for himself in his everyday life.
Luke: Well, I…
Narrator: And learn a lot of things about living life on his own.
Luke: Oh, man.
Narrator: But he won’t have to do it alone.
Luke: What a relief!
Narrator: Besides the support he’ll get from his family, there are services and programs in his community Luke knows nothing about.
Luke: Hey, you don’t have to rub it in.
Narrator: Fortunately for Luke, his school is learning the importance of transition planning…
Luke: What is that?
Narrator: Can I finish?
Luke: Sorry.
Narrator: Transition planning, the assistance offered by teachers and school personnel to help students like Luke select appropriate goals and develop the skills to achieve them.
Luke: Okay, got it.
Narrator: But what is that assistance exactly? How is it offered? And why is it so important, especially for students like Luke? Luke’s about to find out.
Luke: Can’t wait.
Narrator: Here’s Your Challenge…
Luke: Hey, can I do this part?
Narrator: Uh, sure.
Luke: Thanks. Here’s Your Challenge…
What is secondary transition and why is it important for students with disabilities?
What can school personnel do to help these students in the transition planning process?
Narrator: Good job.
