High school


4 Plus Program

This video highlights a program that is offered to students with visual impairments. It applies to students who need to work on work and independent living skills.

Visit the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired website

Countdown to Your Future

Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) provides a calendar highlighting important dates for college financial assistance. It applies to Juniors and Seniors in high school.

Visit the Iowa College Access Network website

Graduation Guidance for IEP Teams

Changes to the graduation requirements (4,3,3,3) are described for IEP Teams by the Iowa Department of Education.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Graduation Guidance for Parents video

This brief video describes the changes to the graduation requirements (4,3,3,3) in Iowa.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Graduation Information & Guidance for Families

The changes to Iowa's graduation requirements (4,3,3,3) are described for families by the Iowa Department of Education.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Guidance on 4+ Services

The Iowa Department of Education defines and outlines the duties of school districts to provide Special Education services to students beyond the fourth year of high school.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

High School Students Careers

The Future Ready Iowa website provides information about options for high school students to connect with high-demand careers, education and training after high school.

Visit the Future Ready Iowa website

Iowa Intermediary Network website

The Iowa Intermediary Network provides information to connect students to career exploration opportunities through work-based learning.

Visit the Iowa Intermediary Network website

Junior/ Senior Checklist: Postsecondary Education

A list of things to do for Junior and Senior high school students who are planning to attend college after high school. The tips on this check list are suggested to provide a successful transition to college.

Visit the AEA 8 website

Partners and Services in Employment

This chart outlines the services provided by a number of service providers in Iowa that support students in transition. The chart also lists who can get those services. Includes Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Department for the Blind, Iowa Workforce Development, and many others.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Pre-employment Transition Services Agreement

This is a copy of the consent form for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS.) The form must be signed to give consent for any student to participate in Pre-ETS instruction or activities at school.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Preparing Students for Transition (IVRS Transition Brochure)

This describes what Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are and how students can get those services.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Research to Practice Lesson Starters

A list of lesson plan outlines that cover many skills. This includes the areas of academics, work and life skills. Level of difficulty ranges from basic facts to complex ideas. From the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition, a nation-wide resource.

Visit the National Technical Assistance Center on Ttransition website

What Are Pre- ETS?

Learn about what Pre-Employment Transition Services under WIOA can include.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Iowa Workbased Learning Guide

This guide provides school districts with information about high school learning that is work based. Descriptions of work-based learning from classroom speakers to work in the community and apprenticeships are included. This guide covers roles and responsibilities of the school and legal requirements to be considered.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

School Responsibility for Employment Preparation

This document describes the role public schools have in preparing students with IEPs for work. Responsibilities are outlined. This letter of guidance is from Iowa's Director of Special Education.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Pre-employment Transition Services Agreement

This is a copy of the consent form for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS.) The form must be signed to give consent for any student to participate in Pre-ETS instruction or activities at school.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Dear Colleague Letter: Access to Accelerated Programs

The Office of Civil Rights explains the rights of students with disabilities to have access to accelerated programs offered by their public-school district.

Visit the Office of Civil Rights website

Senior Year Plus

Information about Senior Year Plus programming which includes any classes that have the potential to generate college credit. Includes Advanced Placement (AP), Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), and Dual Enrollment, etc.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

High School Graduation Requirements for Students Receiving Special Education Services

This webinar from the Iowa Department of Education describes the changes to the graduation requirements (4,3,3,3) and provides guidance for schools.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Questions and Answers on Transcripts for Students with Disabilities Attending Public Schools

This answers questions about what schools can include about a student's disability on school report cards and transcripts. This guidance is from The Office of Civil Rights.

Visit the Office of Civil Rights website

Secondary Transition

This website provides information and guidance on the transition planning process. Topics include Age of Majority, Transition Planning Components in the IEP, Services provided beyond the 4th year of high school (4+), and Post-Secondary Summary Information. From Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEA.)

Visit the Iowa IDEA Information (i3) website

Transition Tennessee

A website providing resources on preparing students with disabilities for life after high school.

Visit the Transition Tennesse website

Work Based Learning Experiences for Students with Disabilities

A fact-sheet that provides general and legislative information. Includes the benefits of work-based learning experiences for students from the Federal Partners in Transition.

Visit the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services website

IVRS High School Contact List

This is a list of counselors from Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) who work in the schools. The high school, counselor's name and contact information is included.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Youth Transitioning from Juvenile Justice Facilities

This collection of resources includes informational briefs, webinars, toolkits and curricula from a wide variety of sources including the U.S. Department of Education, the The National Juvenile Defender Center, etc.

Visit the Center for Parent Information and Resources website

School counselors: Facilitating transitions for students with disabilities from high school to post-school settings

This on-line training provides an overview of the Transition Planning process. It includes ideas on how School Counselors can contribute to the process.

Visit the IRIS Center website

Students Get Involved!

These resources explain the basics of student involvement and person-centered planning. Includes materials for youth.

Visit the Parent Center Hub website

MoneySkill

MoneySkill is an on-line course that covers the basics of money-management. Topics include income, expenses, saving and investing, credit, and insurance. This is designed for middle, high school and college students.

Visit the AFSAEF website

Transition Alliance Program (TAP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This document from the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation outlines the details regarding how Vocational Rehabilitation services and school-based employment services cooperate to support students with disabilities in Transition Alliance Programs (TAPs).

Visit the IVRS website

Safer Driver Solutions

Safer Drivers Solutions is an organization that specializes in working with individuals with special needs. They provide driving instruction that is individualized. Find general tips and information about the process and possible funding options.

Visit the Safe Driver Solutions website

Suggest or Request a Resource

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Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community

The Iowa Secondary Learning Community supports the transition planning process. Archived webinars and resources for IEP team members who want to continue learning about transition planning are available.

Visit the Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community website

T-Folio

T-Folio is a free online transition portfolio tool for high school-age youth with disabilities. The curriculum provides lesson plans and tips to help youth build self-determination and job-readiness skills through a series of interactive exercises.

Visit the T-Folio website

National Parent Center on Transition and Employment- PACER

Find a wide range of resources and information on transition. Families, students and other members of IEP/transition planning teams have found this site useful.

Visit the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website

Iowa Transition Model

This is an outline of what is expected in each piece of the IEP transition planning process. It was created by the Iowa Department of Education and the Area Education Agencies (AEAs).

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Secondary Transition 101

These on-line trainings explain the Transition Planning process in Iowa. Topics include the Iowa Model of Transition Assessment and preparations for Post-Secondary Expectations in the areas of living, learning and working. Provided by Iowa Transition Specialists.

Visit the Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community website

Iowa Transition Planning Specialists for Foster Care

This map outlines the service areas of Transition Planning Specialists who support youth in Foster Care. This service is provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website

Youthood Website

Youthood is a virtual classroom-based transition tool for youth with disabilities that includes activities.

Visit the Youthood website

Senior Checklist- World of Work

A checklist for Senior high school students who are getting ready to work after high school. Includes tips for completing a good job application and getting ready for an interview.

Visit the AEA 8 website

Secondary Transition Decision Guide - Learning

This document is available for IEP teams to use during transition planning in the area of learning. This should guide teams around what might be provided during the traditional four years of high school and when to consider the possibility of continuing services for students beyond the traditional four years of high school.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Section 511 for Schools

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services describes what is required under Section 511 of WIOA for students with the most significant disabilities around employment preparation.

Visit the IVRS website

DE/LEA/IDB/IVRS Collaboration FAQ

This document provides a list of commonly used acronyms, frequently asked questions and responses to questions around the collaboration between the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Department for the Blind, and school districts in the work of transition planning for students.

View the document

Iowa Intermediary Network's Connection Lab

The Iowa Intermediary Network's Connection Lab provides opportunities for students to meet virtually with workforce industry experts and explore various careers.

Visit the Iowa Intermediary Network's website

Career and Academic Planning

Learn about the Iowa law that requires school districts to have an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) for each student in Grades 8-12.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Secondary Transition Decision Guide - Working

This document has been created tor IEP teams to use during transition planning in the area of working. This should guide teams in the discussion around what might be provided during the traditional four years of high school and when to consider the possibility of continuing services for students beyond the traditional four years of high school.

View the document from the Iowa Department of Education

ME! Lessons for Teaching Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy

Lesson plans on self-awareness and self-advocacy skills for students who have disabilities. Includes materials to supplement the lesson and links to resources.

Visit the Zarrow Center website

Learn about Self-Advocacy

This collection of short videos cover a range of important topics that support self-advocacy and independence for people with disabilities

Visit the Self-Advocacy Online website