School-based Transition Planning

Often school boards will develop their own planning tools. Below is an extract from the Introduction to the Transition Workbook of the Grand Prairie Public School Board in Alberta. It expresses well the purpose and process of school-based transition plans.

“The Transition Plan is a planning process designed to make the final school years before graduation especially meaningful to the student’s future life. It is a planning process based on a commitment by a group of individuals to form a network of support to assist an individual in planning for the future. It challenges the student, and his or her family, teachers and other supporters to:

• Recognize where the student is now

• Define and clarify future needs and goals

• Identify and recognize the people who must be involved in order to achieve those goals

• Decide on actions for the next year

• Decide on actions for long range plans

This coordinated planning process is designed to address student needs as they move from elementary programs into junior high school or can be used during the grade 10, 11 and 12 years as the student completes their high school program.”

The success of the program can be ensured by ACTIVELY involving the parents in the processes.

Élisabeth, Sibling, QC