ESE Secondary Transition

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Secondary Transition Information and Resources

Secondary Transition refers to the process a student with a disability goes through as they move from high school to whatever comes next.  The phases include postsecondary education, employment and independent living. In Florida, this begins at age 12 or earlier and may not end until  age 22 for students with significant disabilities.  

Learn more through Project 10 (Transition Education Network), the publication of Secondary Roadmap for Families.  For additional Resources, the Pinellas Interagency Networking Council for Students (PINCS), provides agency resource guides and post secondary tools for students and families to plan for beyond high school goals.  For access to the PINCS resources, visit http://www.pincs.org/.  The Transition Services Resource Guide is a comprehensive tool developed by the PINCS council to assist families in locating resources for families of persons with disabilities.  The PINCS Transition Resources Placemat.  

II. What is the law behind Secondary Transition for Students with Disabilities?

The Florida House Bill 173, Effective July 1, 2021 is legislation regarding Individual Educational Plan (IEP) Requirements for Students with Disabilities. 

The Florida Statue - House Bill 173, is the 2021 Legislation regarding Transition Services.  The House Bill revises provisions related to development and implementation of IEPs for students with disabilities regarding postsecondary education and career opportunities including such IEP requirements, timeline, information provided, & statement of intent.

III.  What does the Transition Process include?

The term “transition services” or “transition planning” is a process that assists students and their parents to prepare for the nextstep beyond high school that considers employment, additional education or training, community involvment and independent functioning for moving into adulthood.

Transition Services help a student move from school to post school activities. The purpose of transition planning is to provide the student with services and supports he or she needs to ake a successful move into adult life.  The IEP team identifies the services that will help the student move forward from their K-12 education.  The team includes the student, their parent(s), and teachers and related service providers.  Formal Transition Planning that includes the student begins at age 12.  At age 16 the IEP team considers agency referrals and involvment to assist the youth with services out of highschool and beyond to coordinate neccessary supports for a successful transition. Agency involvement requires student and/or parent consent. 

Transition services are a coordinated set of services that help students prepare for post-school activities in the areas of emplyment, independent Living, and Community Involvement.

IV. Graduation Requirements and Pathways:

Florida's public high school graduation requirements are specified in:

• Section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes (F.S.), Requirements for a standard high school diploma
• Section 1002.3105, F.S., Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) options

Florida Graduation Requirements 

Pinellas Pathways to Graduation

 V.  Career and Technical Education(CTE):

VI.  Pinellas County Schools (PCS) District Application Program offerings:

The Pinellas County Schools  District Application process provides an opportunity for students to apply to district Magnet and Fundamental Programs for the upcoming

2022-2023 school year.  The Application period runs from November 18, 2021 from 6:00pm to December 15, 2021 6:00pm.  For additional information, go to https://www.pcsb.org/DAP.

VII.  Early College and Collegiate Programs:

Pinellas County Schools is proud to offer dual enrollment options at multiple colleges to allow students to reduce the expense of obtaining a degree while they simultaneously earn credit toward their high school diploma and a college degree.

For additional information go to: Advanced Studies and Academic Excellence.

VIII.  Pinellas County Schools Extended Transition Programs:

For students who are eligible and choose to defer their diploma to extend their transition learning and goal setting PCS offers several engaging and exciting opportunities to engage in hands on and real world applications of skills out in the community.  

Extended Transition Program Descriptions

VIII.  Agency Resources:

• Florida's Center for Students with Unique Abilities at https://fcsua.org/
• The Florida Centers for Independent Living at https://www.floridacils.org/
• The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at https://www.rehabworks.org/
• The Agency for Persons with Disabilities at https://apd.myflorida.com/
• The Division of Blind Services at https://dbs.fldoe.org/

           Additional Resources:

• FLDOE Secondary Transition
• Guardianship and Other Decision-Making Alternatives (Large Document).
•  Illustration of the Four Principle Transition Areas.
• Student Involvement and Self-Determination
• Ten Pointers for Parents 
• The 411 on Disability Disclosure
• Transfer of Rights/Age of Majority
• Transition Activities Checklist for Parents and Students
• Transition to Adult Life: Tips for Teens

For additional assistance, please call the Pinellas County Schools (PCS), Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department at (727) 588-6032.

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