What is transition planning and when does it typically begin?

• A. Planning for daily classroom routines; begins in elementary years
• B. Planning for extracurricular activities; begins in college
• C. Planning for life after high school; typically begins in mid-teen years (ages 14–16)
• D. Planning for parent involvement; begins in high school senior year

Answer: (C)

Transition planning is about preparing a student for life after high school, focusing on postsecondary goals such as education or training, employment, and independent living, with coordinated supports to help reach those goals. Because these outcomes take time to arrange and practice, the planning process typically begins in the early to mid-teen years, around ages 14 to 16, allowing the student to explore options, set goals, and line up services before graduation. The other ideas describe planning for routines, activities, or involvement within school rather than planning for adulthood and adult services, so they don’t capture the purpose of transition planning.