ABSTRACT
The transition specialist is an emerging position in the special education field. Transition services were first mandated in the 1990 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Division on Career Development and Transition of the Council for Exceptional Children has defined a transition special-ist as "an individual who plans, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates transition education and services at the school or system level, in conjunction with other educators, families, students, and representatives of community organizations". Transition specialists help develop and administer transition programs. Transition specialists need to have a thorough understanding of services available in the community. Transition specialists should have knowledge of federal, state, and local legislation related to transition, and they need to know the current transition regulations and assist teachers with following the law. An important responsibility of transition specialists is program evaluation.
