As students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan for life beyond high school in the areas of employment, education, training, and independent living, when appropriate, they will benefit from a well-defined transition assessment model to assist them with making informed life and vocational choices.
Students are at the center of transition planning, which occurs along a continuum of opportunities.
The levels of transition assessment outlined below build on each other and are not mutually exclusive.
Level I transition assessment is the on-going process of determining the student’s strengths and needs regarding vocational and transition planning. The Level I approach is informal, utilizing existing data obtained from student records (e.g., student performance, Academic Career Plan & Academic Career Plan Portfolio), and may include student interviews, parent interviews, self-report inventories, and observations.
Level II transition assessment is an in-depth investigation of transition-relevant information and data across all major transition domains, including employment, postsecondary education and training, independent living, and community participation. This comprehensive process involves the administration of both informal and formal transition assessments, which may include community-based assessments when appropriate. The goal of a Level II assessment is to provide a more detailed understanding of a student's strengths, preferences, interests, and needs, ensuring that planning for life after high school is individualized and aligned with realistic opportunities. By gathering data from multiple sources and contexts, the assessment helps educators, families, and students make informed decisions about supports, services, and pathways that will promote successful outcomes in adulthood. A formal report is prepared and shared with the IEP team to guide transition planning and ensure alignment with the student's individualized education program.
Level III Vocational Assessment is conducted at the Vocational Assessment Center, is the division’s most in-depth transition assessment process when vocational information is needed beyond levels I and II. A targeted vocational assessment systematically uses simulated work to assist a student’s vocational development and career decision making. Vocational assessment evaluators consult with IEP team members, as appropriate, to determine level of need, and present findings at IEP meetings.