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Is Your Student Ready for What Comes Next?

By Cindy Camp

Back view of a young woman standing in a doorway with her hands on each side of the doorway. A bright light shines outside.

Life is a series of transitions. Children face changes and challenges as they transition from kindergarten to first grade; from elementary to middle school; and from middle to high school. But perhaps the most challenging transition comes after graduation from high school, because there are so many choices. Teachers and parents often struggle to ensure that their students are ready for this major transition.

Indicator 13 of the State Performance Plan, required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004, states that IEPs for youth age 16 and above must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals that are annually updated and based upon an age-appropriate transition assessment, transition services—including courses of study that will reasonably enable the student to meet those postsecondary goals—and annual IEP goals related to the student's transition services needs. (20 U.S.C. 1416(a)(3)(B))

DCMP offers many resources to assist in the transition process.

Related Resources

eLearning Resources

Map It

Map It: What Comes Next? Module

Map It: What Comes Next is a free, online, interactive training designed for transition-aged students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The training utilizes three questions: Who Am I? What Do I Want? How Do I Get There?
Getting a Job

Getting a Job! for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Module

This online training was developed and designed for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and the professionals who work with them. Focusing on the transition from school to work, the training offers a series of activities, supporting documents and topical videos designed to help the job seeker prepare for the world of work.
Getting a Job

Getting a Job! For Students Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired Module

This online training was developed and designed for students who are blind and visually impaired and the professionals who work with them. Focusing on the transition from school to work, the training offers a series of activities, supporting documents, and topical videos designed to help the job seeker prepare for the world of work. It features several blind and low vision role models to guide students along the path to work.

Is Your Student Ready for College?

Going to college is a major life transition. Students experience more freedom and responsibility than ever before. They may be living on their own for the first time, either in a dorm or apartment. They need independent living skills to make sure they wake up on time, eat healthy meals, and can do their own laundry. There is suddenly no one to tell them to go to class, much less do their homework. And students with disabilities must now self-disclose and seek accommodations when they may have been used to everything being done for them in high school.

Sometimes parents and students fail to be proactive in planning for college. Just as the academic planning begins well before the senior year of high school, so should the planning for all aspects of independent living. Students need to understand their disability and accommodation needs. They should learn which laws apply to each stage of their academic career, so they know what accommodations will be appropriate in a postsecondary setting. They should also be familiar with assistive technology and what will best suit their individual needs.

Related Resources

Media

Members Only

Real Life 101: College Prep

With college just ahead of them, the hosts receive some helpful suggestions from a college counselor about applying to schools, meet a special tutor whose job is to help students ace SAT exams, and speak with a woman who gives writing tips for college application essays.

Members Only
Game Changers with Kevin Frazier

Real Life 101: Goes to College Part 1

Consults with a student ambassador to find out about student life at the University of Florida, visits a dorm room and see what life is like living away from home, discusses what needs to be done now to get into college later, and provides an overview of the operations of the student government.

Members Only
Real Life 101

Real Life 101: Goes to College Part 2

Visits with a student athlete who is swimming her way through her four years at the University of Florida. Provides an overview of sororities and fraternities. Also, a medical student talks about the challenges she faces as a graduate student.
Members Only

Real Life 101: Vocational Training

A career planner discusses how to find the right career for the right person; a certified image consultant explains how to make a good first impression; a professional development coach weighs the pros and cons of the job.

Members Only

A+ Guide to Transitions from High School to College for Special Education: A Guide for Parents and Students

Teachers, parents, and school administrators describe the transition processes and offer advice for a positive experience. Special needs high school and college students share their experiences.
Members Only

Paying Your Way Through College

Helps viewers understand four-key financial aid sources: scholarships, grants, work-study, and student loans. Also, offers tips on earning extra cash and includes the "High School Road Map to Financial Aid," an incredibly helpful schedule that spells out what to do and when to do it, starting with junior year.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

This two-part series explains the Americans With Disabilities Act and how it applies to postsecondary education for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The series is narrated by current CEO of NAD Howard Rosenblum. The series is also presented in American Sign Language.

Is Your Student Ready for a Job?

Once students have finished with school, whether it be high school or college, they face the sometimes daunting transition into the world of work. Although we go to school to prepare for a job, the reality is often different from what we expect. And in a competitive job market, the process of finding a job is often a lengthy one.

We can help students be more prepared by teaching responsible work ethics, self-advocacy skills, and how to maximize their soft and hard skills. Students will benefit from working (even small jobs) in high school and college. This will help them learn what to expect and choose a career that matches their individual talents and interests.

Related Resources

Media

Members Only

Career Connections (Series)

In this PBS Learning Media series of 60 videos, young professionals discuss their jobs and provide behind-the-scenes glimpses into their daily routines. Viewers learn about in-demand jobs, and what it takes to succeed in these careers.
Members Only

10 Things Not to do in an Interview

Counts down the top ten things not to do in a job interview: not being punctual, bad presentation, bad preparation, lack of research, poor communication, bad body language, negativity, anxiety, not being yourself, and not having any questions.
Members Only

BizKid$ (Series)

BizKid$ is public television's Emmy Award-winning financial education series of 65 videos for teens and preteens. Each video has a lesson guide, and the Biz Kid$ website has many additional ideas for learning activities.
Members Only

Career Options for Women: Emerging Opportunities (Series)

This series raises viewer awareness, confidence, and excitement about career opportunities. Young women who have not yet entered the workforce will see that the sky is the limit, and viewers in general will understand how companies and work environments are enriched by greater diversity.
Members Only

STEM Careers in Two Years (series)

This four-part series shows that rewarding, well-paid jobs in several STEM industries are attainable with only two years of training. Each episode features three case studies.
Members Only

Connect the Dots: How School Skills Become Work Skills

Viewers explore five basic school-to-work skills: personal self-management; creative thinking; computer literacy; communications; and reading, writing, and arithmetic. They also learn how school skills contribute to a person's ability to think critically and solve problems.
Members Only

The Working World for Young Adults (Series)

This series offers some solid solutions and practical advice to students looking to enter the job market. They will discover what makes a person successful in a job now and into the future.
Members Only

Disabilities at Work: Successful Job Hunting for People with Disabilities (Series)

This three-part series helps people with disabilities gain the confidence, awareness, and interview strategies necessary to take on the job-hunting process. Topics covered include: online resources that can pinpoint skills and interests, organizations and websites that can clarify legal questions, and advice on preparing a resume.
Members Only

Getting it Right at the Interview (Student Version)

Addresses all the basics of a job interview, including: preparing for the interview, listening and communication skills, career goals, body language, asking questions, using mock interviews, and understanding the difference between individual and group interviews.

Tags: educators, parents, transition

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Funding provided by the Department of Education

Administered by the National Association of the Deaf