Transition Timeline For IDEA Or 504 Plan Students
12th Grade
September
- Review annual IEP plan and long term adult goals. Revise the IEP to reflect any suggested activities that arose from college visits.
- Schedule conferences with mainstream teachers to discuss goals/modifications as the student practices her advocacy skills.
- Send for college applications and have the student begin filling them out.
- Check the deadlines for applications. Make a time line for completing them. (Reminder: turn in applications to the school counselor 2-3 weeks ahead of deadlines).
- The student signs up for SAT/ACT examinations.
- The student writes any essays necessary for his applications.
October
- The student writes college admissions letters. He should ask one or two teachers and his counselor for a letter of recommendation, if needed. Be sure to provide each person with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
November/December
- Submit all applications to counselor for checking and mailing.
January-April
- Meet with all teachers to conference and get feedback regarding performance. This is the time when the district personnel should be devising the Student Exit Summary.
- Get appropriate financial aid forms. Complete those as soon as possible after annual income tax forms have been filed. Remember that some scholarship and grant programs have filing deadlines and late applications are NOT accepted. The federal financial aid form (FAFSA) can be accessed and completed online at www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/students.
- If the student has not made a final decision, revisit colleges where she has been accepted.
- Make a final decision and send in deposit.
- Contact college Disability Office to discuss documentation, etc.
May/June
- Prepare for finals and enjoy graduation!
- After graduation, have high school send final transcript to the college the student will be attending.
July
- The student attends orientation, registers for courses, attends summer prep program, etc.
August
- It’s that time! College awaits!
(Timeline modified from A Handbook for Students with Learning Disabilities and Their Families)