ABSTRACT
The purpose of IDEA 2004 is “to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living” (IDEA, 34CFR 601(d)(1)(A)). In order to provide students with a roadmap to achieve their desired post-school goals, beginning at age 16, IDEA 2004 mandates that transition services be part of a student’s IEP. The term transition services means
a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to postschool activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.
IDEA, 34CFR 602(32)(A)).