Post-Secondary Transition Resources
Welcome to our page regarding Secondary Transition! The information contained here is of a general nature and most will take you to non-T/ESD sites. If you have specific questions please contact your student's case manager or school counselor. Eligibility for services is an IEP team determination.
Transition planning is a multistep process that guides a youth receiving special education services from high school into adult living after they leave school.
Planning begins at age 14, or younger if determined appropriately by the IEP team, and continues through high school as academic instruction and community experiences help clarify and support students’ goals.
Post-Secondary Education
Preparing students to pursue their dreams of further education or training.
Employment
Preparing all students to be competitively employed or supported through the appropriate continuum of employment services.
Independent Living
Fostering skills for living independently in the community of their choice.
General Resources
This site "provides youth, young adults, parents, and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress towards post-secondary goals related to education, employment, and community living". It is updated frequently by the state and a great place to start in understanding secondary transition.
Chester County Transition guide
This local transition guide provides contact information for a wide variety of agencies that can support transition planning and services.This local guide provides a large range of opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be involved in their community to develop social and recreational skills.
(https://transitiondiscoveries.org/families/)
This site links to a variety of resources on how best to support your child as they transition to life after high school.
This link takes you to the Conestoga High School's Student Services page. Click on the link for Post-High School planning information for 10th, 11th and 12th graders. The CHS Student Services page also has information about Naviance, financial aid, scholarships, and other planning tools.
Wide variety of parent resources.
PaTTAN is the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, supported by PDE.
An initiative of Allegheny County United Way. Some items are specific to Western Pennsylvania, but there are other good general resources.
Agency Information
There are several agencies that can assist in the planning process; some may be able to assist you and your student after they graduate and leave school-age services. If you and your student are working with an agency, please let your student's case manager know so we may include them in meetings.
Students close to reaching the end of their school age services may be eligible. OVR provides support for individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment. From their website: "The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment." If your student is connected with OVR and has a caseworker please let us know so we may invite them to IEP meetings.
Students identified with an Intellectual Disability should contact the office of MH/IDD to conduct an intake to determine eligibility for services. These services can help your student access resources after they exit school-age services. If your student is registered with MH/IDD and has a caseworker, please let us know so we may invite them to IEP meetings.
Post-Secondary Education or Training resources
This page contains information about applying for accommodations for the SAT. Staff at Conestoga High School can assist families in applying for accommodations, contact your student's school counselor. Approved accommodations are typically valid for the student's high school career. College Board makes the determination as to student eligibility for accommodations.
This page contains information about applying for accommodations for the ACT. You must apply for accommodations when close to the testing window. Contact your student's school counselor for more information. ACT makes the determination as to student eligibility for accommodations.
From www,collegeautismspectrum.com
Resources about programs available at two- and four-year colleges for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Should not be considered a complete list.
PA Inclusive Higher Ed Consortium inclusive programs and admissions infographics
These two infographics from the PA Inclusive Higher Ed. Consortium, outline disability support programs at colleges in PA and what is needed for admission to these programs.