Guidance and Resources

Transition Resources

Published: 9/17/2024 9:44 AM
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The goal of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) is the successful transition of all students from school to post-school activities - whether postsecondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living or community participation. We also recognize that many other transitions occur over the life of an individual. ​

Transition Planning Resources

The following resources contain information and resources which may prove helpful as districts and parents work together to develop meaningful transition plans for students with disabilities.

This resource may serve as a tool to support district and interagency teams in offering a transformative transition planning process that prepares students with disabilities for the realities of today and the future.  

This tool was developed to guide district teams in reviewing, assessing and, when appropriate, making changes and improvements to postsecondary transition practices and programs for students with disabilities.  The Overview of the Kentucky Profile of Transition Practices (KPTP) video​ is designed to increase awareness and understanding of the main components included in the KPTP. 
NTACT assists states in building capacity to support and improve transition planning, services, and outcomes for youth with disabilities. 

The Community Based Work Transition Program is designed to provide a positive beginning in the world of work for students in special education during their last two years of high school. It is a cooperative effort between participating local school districts, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Kentucky Department for the Blind, and HDI. 

Do you know what is in store for students with disabilities who graduate from your school and head off to postsecondary education?  Do you have the information you need to advise them on what to expect in postsecondary education? ​

Life is full of transitions, and one of the more remarkable ones occurs when we get ready to leave high school and go out in the world as young adults. When the student has a disability, it's especially helpful to plan ahead for that transition. Resources for parents, students and professionals. 

Mapping Your Future is your free resource for career, college, financial aid, and money management information. Our goal is to help individuals achieve life-long success by empowering students, families, and schools with free, web-based information and services. 

This dynamic, curriculum-based tool can help young adults plan for life after high school, whether it be college, technical school, community living, etc. 

Summary of Performance Technical Assistance Documents

The IDEA '04 and the Kentucky Administrative Regulations require that “for students who graduate or age out of the program, the LEA shall provide the child with a summary of the child’s academic achievement and functional performance including recommendations on how to assist the child in meeting the child’s postsecondary goals (707 KAR 1:300 Section 4 (21)). In an effort to assist districts in meeting this requirement, two optional formats for documenting the “Summary of Performance” have been developed. The options are: 
 
  • Option 1 – was developed just after the IDEA was reauthorized in 2004 and has been used by districts since that time. 
  • Option 2 – is a recently developed format that is now available. This option outlines a more student-directed approach to the Summary of Performance. The format attached is the teacher’s copy with annotations on how to complete, as well as a blank student copy. 
  • ​​​Option 3 – Your district may also develop its own way of documenting the Summary of Performance as long as the regulatory requirements are met. 
Transition to Post-secondary Education/Training

These resources are designed to assist you and your team as you plan for postsecondary education/training. 

Youth with intellectual disabilities have not had many chances to go to college. This is changing as individuals across the country begin to create opportunities for these youth to reap the benefits of postsecondary education. This website will provide information and links to anyone interested in finding out more about the possibilities. 

​KnowHow2GOKy is a multiyear, multimedia effort designed to encourage more Kentuckians to plan, enroll and succeed in college. This site primarily targets middle and high school students, and their parents, with motivational content to encourage them to get ready for college. 

​Students with documented disabilities that require individualized accommodations should do two things: contact the Disability Resource Coordinator at their home college and inform their instructors. 

​The mission of Career and Technical Education is to assist schools in providing students with skills necessary for a successful transition to postsecondary education or work and a desire for life-long learning in a global society. 

The mission of the Center is to provide services that enable Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve suitable employment and independence.  The Center is a division of the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).

Transition to Independent Living

The following resources may be useful in helping you to achieve your objectives related to independent living and community participation needs: 


The Arc of Kentucky holds a Vision of a positive future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a future of communities with services and supports that will promote lives of value for Kentuckians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Kentucky has three centers for independent living providing independent living services for people with disabilities. These programs provide tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect. 

The Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver Branch of the Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DDID) provides staff support for and oversight of the Supports for Community Living waiver program. The focus of SCL is to allow a person to remain in or return to the community. Persons with developmental or intellectual disabilities who meet the requirements for residence in an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with Intellectual Disabilities, and who meet other Medicaid requirements, are eligible for this program. 

The Office of Disability Employment Policy connects the more than 50 million Americans with disabilities to thousands of trusted resources on disability-related issues, programs and services. The site features comprehensive information from 22 federal agencies, as well as educational institutions, non-profit organizations and state and local governments. Topics covered on the site include benefits; civil rights; community life; education; emergency preparedness; employment; health; housing; technology; and transportation. 

​KY-SPIN, Inc.'s mission is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to effectively advocate for and access needed information, resources and support networks to enhance their quality of life. 

Transition to Employment 

The following resources may be useful in helping you to achieve your objectives related to employment needs: 


The United States Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) seeks to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities by expanding access to training, education, employment supports, assistive technology, integrated employment, entrepreneurial development, and small-business opportunities. The agency also builds partnerships with employers and state and local agencies to increase awareness of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and to facilitate effective strategies. 


The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation assists Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve suitable employment and independence. 

​The Human Development Institute is Kentucky’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. We focus our efforts on improving lifelong opportunities and services for individuals with disabilities, their families and the community. HDI’s research, training and service projects address a wide range of topics and issues in areas such as early childhood, education and alternate assessment, transition across the lifespan, employment, community living, and personnel preparation. 

NCWD/Youth works to ensure that transition age youth are provided full access to high quality services in integrated settings to gain education, employment and independent living. 

OSEEL Initiatives  


KY 360 for Educators 

KY 360 for Educators focuses on developing and supporting education professionals to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities through a professional development program for capacity building in the areas of postsecondary transition. The program seeks to increase the quality of transition programming throughout Kentucky school districts in the areas of student skills, career development, collaborative systems, policy and Individual Education Program (IEP) development by implementing a tiered model of professional learning. This program model will have three levels of professional learning including universal supports, targeted coaching through a cohort model and a community of practice. ​
KY Transition 360 for Teachers
KY Transition 360 

KY Transition 360 is a comprehensive effort to improve transition programming, systems of supports and services, and post-school outcomes through improved interagency coordination and partnership for postsecondary transition. Ensuring greater accessibility to job opportunities is a beneficial investment for individuals with disabilities, their families, businesses and local communities. KY Transition 360 focuses resources directly within local communities developing a team of family mentors, located in their own local communities across the state, working to strengthen the local connections among systems of support and relevant agencies. The program builds local and state partnerships across systems and agencies which are already working to support students in achieving postsecondary success. 

KY Transition 360

Please email the Transition Education Unit if you have any questions.




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