Leading special education transitions with evidence-based practices

Students' transition between school and adult life presents one of the most difficult challenges for those working in special education. Evidence-based SPED practices can provide the foundation of a systematic approach that empowers students to secure gainful employment and an independent lifestyle in adulthood. That's because these techniques have been proven to improve post-school outcomes.

Whether you're leading transition teams, developing inclusive transition programs, or merely looking to strengthen your skillset through a SPED Master's program, you must gain a comprehensive understanding of these research-validated practices.

Read on to learn how effective special education transition planning can set your students up for success.

Legal and policy foundations

Transition services and legal requirements created by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mean that you'll have to create a personalized education program for each of your students starting at age 16.¹ These include measurable postsecondary goals relating to important quality of life metrics such as enrollment in tertiary education or vocational training, employment, and independent living skills.¹

As students approach the age of majority, planning becomes ever more crucial because they'll soon attain decision-making rights unless a guardianship arrangement has been made. This transitory phase requires careful preparation by educators so that students understand their rights, responsibilities, and resources. At the same time, it's vital that the student's family and support system are kept in the loop throughout the planning process.

You'll need to ensure that your students' personalized plans align with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) college and career readiness goals. This will create opportunities to integrate the upcoming transition planning with broader school improvement initiatives. Plus, your school's overall performance metrics will benefit from improved student outcomes.

Evidence-based transition framework

Evidence-based SPED practices rely on Kohler's Taxonomy.² Educators can use this comprehensive framework to address the needs of their students holistically. The five domains include:

1. Student-focused planning which encompasses personalized assessment and goal-setting
2. Student development including academic, social, and life skills instruction
3. Interagency collaboration between schools and community agencies
4. Family involvement which involves engaging families as planning partners 
5. Program structures  including organizational policies and procedures that support implementation

Special educators must engage with each piece of this puzzle to achieve the best results for their students during this transitional phase.

Core evidence-based practices

Student-led individual educational planning (IEP) meetings and goal-setting sessions are incredibly important steps on the path to future success. These build self-advocacy skills, which underpin your students' ability to successfully navigate the adult world. Plus, by engaging your student directly in the transition planning process, you're giving them a greater stake in its outcome. Research has shown that students who actively participate in their IEP meetings are more likely to attain their goals relative to passive participants.³

Boosting post-school employment outcomes should be a central goal for any educator who works closely with students with disabilities. Fortunately, several evidence-based practices have emerged in this area. Students are more likely to become and stay gainfully employed if they have community-based work experiences, internships, or paid employment during schooling. This holds true across disability categories and severity levels.

One helpful tool for students is the self-directed learning model. This teaches students self-determination skills, such as how to:

• Set goals
• Create action plans
• Monitor progress
• Adjust strategies independently

These skills are essential for success in employment, college or vocational school, and community living.

Formal interagency agreements and service mapping help students by coordinating support and clarifying roles, communication, and responsibilities among service providers. By helping all stakeholders understand how their contributions impact student outcomes, inclusive transition models allow groups to move collaboratively toward shared goals.

Moreover, family engagement models such as Rehabilitation for Empowerment, Natural Supports, Education, and Work (RENEW) assist with advocacy and planning partnerships by offering a structured approach to family involvement that incorporates important cultural values.⁴

Transition leadership strategies

Transition leadership strategies rely heavily on federally mandated data aggregation. For example, it's important to look at how many students have transition goals in their IEPs (Indicator 13), how well those goals are fleshed out, and whether they match the personal needs of the students. You can also compare Indicator 13 data against post-graduation outcomes (Indicator 14) to measure the efficacy of your programs.

Effective leaders will use these data points to identify areas for improvement. They'll also disaggregate data by disability category, demographic characteristics, and program components. By finely combing through your data, you'll be able to identify successful practices and see where your current strategies are falling short.

Finally, to build a successful cross-disciplinary team including vocational rehabilitation counselors, employers, and community agencies, you'll need to facilitate regular communication, shared decision-making, and mutual accountability among your team members.

Technology and assistive tools

Advances in technology have accelerated student development across this difficult and exciting transition period. For example, digital portfolios let students document their skills, achievements, and career interests. This has made it easier for students to take ownership of their own career journey while more easily connecting with employers and postsecondary training and educational opportunities. Other advances, such as virtual job fairs, let students explore career opportunities that might not otherwise be readily available due to transportation limitations or accessibility barriers.

Finally, prompting apps and assistive technology help students learn and grow beyond the classroom. Students can utilize these tools for real-time support across a range of areas, including day-to-day life, employment opportunities, and community navigation skills.⁵

Measuring success

Setting measurable post-school goals with specific, trackable outcomes is one of the most important components of continuous improvement. These goals should address a broad range of outcomes for post-grad success, including employment, education, community participation, and independent living.

To monitor annual progress, engage in regular fidelity checks to make sure transition planning interventions are implemented as designed. In addition, use outcome surveys to measure long-term student success.

Elevate your leadership impact with advanced special education curriculum

Using evidence-based SPED practices during the decision-making process can help you create a seamless transition into adulthood for your special education students. The University of Kansas online M.S.E. in special education with an emphasis in secondary special education and transition helps prepare leaders to achieve transformative transition outcomes. You'll walk away from this program with a comprehensive understanding of research-backed practices, legal frameworks, and innovative service delivery models.

Get in touch with an admissions outreach advisor to find out how an online graduate certificate or online master's can elevate your skillset and career.