What does a good transition assessment look like?

Non-Attorney Education Advocate Lisa Carey recommends that families request a transition assessment after winter break of their eighth grade year so that the assessment and IEP will be done before high school. A good transition assessment will include:

• History
• Record review
• PLOPs
• Career assessment and planning
• Work and learning styles
• Career interests
• Post-secondary options
• Functional skills
• Vocational readiness

Keep in mind that your child’s transition team should choose different assessment methods based on their unique needs. Some common tools include:

• Academic assessments
• Career technical education standards
• Career interest inventories
• Functional assessments
• Multiple intelligences assessments
• Picture-based Interest Inventory

These assessments can also focus on specific topics, such as music, science, or sports, to narrow down your child’s interests. There are assessment tools available for all levels of communication and comprehension.

For more information, see our full article Individual Transition Plan (ITP) 101.