A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS

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The process for including college in your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) starts early. The roadmap below showcases an overview of the process and when to start the discussion with teachers, administrators and vocational counselors. It is important to know the milestones and be sure the schools are working with you to determine your child's future.

Need help navigating IEP programs for your student? The Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership provides mentors who are matched with families through Parent to Parent, an entity of Georgia’s Parent Training Information Center. They assist parents with setting goals and success towards grade levels and graduation, communicate with teachers, keep track of student progress in class, and provide supportive activities.
Elementary School
School should be providing the following to help parents and student begin to define
the dream for the future:
  • Developing an IEP for the student and encouraging student attendance and
    participation at IEP meetings
  • Ensuring access to the general curriculum and development of functional skills
    related to the unique needs of the child
  • Developing self-determination skills as part of the curriculum

Middle School
At entry, school should be sharing and discussing the following transition information
with student and parent(s):
  • Identifying post-school goal
  • Discussing diploma requirements and review student status
  • Discussing requirements for getting into colleges or technical colleges
  • Providing access to the general curriculum and the needed transition skills related to the student’s unique needs resulting from the disability
  • Offering instruction in communication, self-care, mobility, independent living, and recreation as well as vocational activities

Middle school should be:
  • Creating a transition portfolio with references, descriptions of acquired skills, work/experience history, and related assessment information
  • Completing necessary BRIDGE requirements for Middle School to ensure students are made aware of available college and career options

As Early as Age 14
Parents can contact the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) to start
planning for their child’s college life or professional career.

High School
School should conduct initial transition planning meeting with student and parents
before starting school if possible and provide referral to other agencies as appropriate:
  • Georgia Department of Labor
  • Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)
  • Regional Boards Division of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
  • Technical College System of Georgia disability counselor
  • College/University, Disability Services Provider
  • Benefits planning assistance
  • Other agencies as IEP team determines appropriate

During High School, the school should be:
  • Providing series of career development activities
  • Completing necessary BRIDGE requirements for High School to ensure students are made aware of available college and career options
  • Discussing the development and need for independent living skills.
  • Determining needs of the student necessary for successful graduation

The High School IEP team may recommend:
  • A comprehensive vocational /career evaluation
  • Establishment of a definite graduation date
  • Identify Employment/Vocational options
  • Look at Community/independent living
  • Consider Community integration and access

Age 18
  • Student can register to vote.
  • Males must register for Draft/Selective Service.

Last Year in High School
Students should have both these options on their Transition plan and decide which to pursue upon graduation:
  • Consider Option A: Employment (competitive or supported)
  • Consider Option B: Postsecondary education
The Georgia Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium is a project of the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University. The Consortium is funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Grant #P407A150079.