Transition planning is the preparation, implementation and evaluation required to enable students to make major transitions during their lives. This may include from home or pre-school to kindergarten; from class to class; from school to school; from school to post-secondary, community, or work opportunities. As students move through the K-12 education system, there will be a number of transitions to navigate. School staff are aware of the importance of thorough transition planning to minimize stress for families and ensure success for the student.
Kindergarten Transition
Central Okanagan Public Schools has a well-established kindergarten transition process. Staff from the school district work closely with outside agencies and community service providers who support preschoolers with diverse abilities and disabilities. The district and community partners work with families to share important information about the child to the school and about the school to parents. During these meetings, transition plans are made to support the child's successful entry into kindergarten. If a child has not been supported through community early intervention services but the parent feels the child has needs and would benefit from a transition plan, parents are encouraged to contact their principal at their child's school. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend the Early Learning for Families, Kindergarten Orientation activities and other events offered by each elementary school. These activities share information about school and learning while building connections and community for families. Please see here for some of the SD 23 kindergarten guiding documents:
Kindergarten Transitions
Kindergarten Transition Planning
Transitioning from One Grade to the Next Grade
Each spring, schools begin to look at their projected enrolment for the following September. Before the end of the school year, school teams have established plans for the placement of student with diverse abilities and disabilities in classrooms. If interested, parents may provide input regarding placement decisions by sharing information about their child. For example, parents may share information about the child's preferred learning style, or social and friendship considerations. Parents/Guardians are asked not to request specific teachers. There are many variables that school teams consider when making classroom placement decisions.
As students move from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school, transition planning is initiated by staff in the early spring and in some cases, earlier, if the student has complex needs. Transition planning involves the student's case manager (resource teacher, inclusion teacher, school counsellor, or learning assistant teacher) connecting with the upcoming case manager to share the CBIEP and the specific strengths, interests, and needs of the student. Arrangements are often made for the student to visit the receiving school in the spring and to meet the new staff, administration, and the school setting. The receiving school's case manager will be in contact with former staff and parents to share information, answer questions and prepare for school start up in September. This information will help the new staff determine which classroom or set of courses will best suit the learning needs of the student in the new year. The receiving school's case manager will invite the parents to an CBIEP meeting in late September or October and consult with parents on their child's CBIEP.
Transition from Grade 12 to the Community
Transitioning a student into adulthood requires coordination and planning. It is important that parents/guardians prepare for this transition well before the child turns 16 years of age. In some cases, there are arrangements that need to be made with Community Living BC (CLBC) and other agencies to ensure that a smooth transition takes place. It is recommended by the Ministry of Education that this planning begin when the student turns 16 years of age.
The CBIEP team, including parents or guardians, assist the student's transition by including specific transition goals within the CBIEP. The high school resource teacher will share information about parent information sessions that take annually at the high school. During these information sessions, community-based agencies answer questions and provide information related to this important transition.
On some occasions, a grade 12 student who turns 19 before July may be considered to attend school for an additional grade 13 year, if it has been determined that this student would benefit from the additional year to accomplish the goals and objectives outlined in the CBIEP. Parent are asked to work closely with their CBIEP team to determine if this would be of benefit to the student.
A helpful transition checklist has been prepared by high school resource teachers. This tool helps guide parents with the transition process.
Transition Planning Checklist
The Ministry of Children and Family Development has two documents that may assist parents or guardians in the planning process:
Your Future Now: A Transition Planning and Resource Guide for Youth with Special Needs and Their Families
Cross-Ministry Transition Planning Protocol for Youth with Special needs