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Transitioning
to adulthood
Overview

Secondary Transition

Secondary Transition refers to the journey from high school to adult life. A student who receives special education services also has a transition plan with measurable outcomes. In Tennessee, the transition plan begins at age14 and continues until the student earns a regular diploma or exits high school the year they turn 22. However, teachers, students, and families can begin planning even earlier to learn about options and possibilities and to coordinate supports and services. Preparing for adult life means making decisions about getting more education or training, finding employment, living independently or with supports, and being connected and active in one’s community. It may mean applying for government benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and Medicaid waiver services.

Know the facts

Secondary Transition includes

  • Understanding student’s preferences, interests, and needs
  • Develops the student’s future vision
  • Identifies the student’s present levels of educational performance
  • Creates a foundation for the IEP with a statement of needed transition services
  • Provides a format to evaluate the IEP’s progress
Resources for parents and students

Discover available options

Learn who to contact or where to get more resources

Daily routines, needs and supports

Living Arrangments

  • Centers for Independent Living http://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory-results/TN 240 Great Circle Road, Suite 333, Nashville, TN 37228 866/992-4568 or 615/292-05803. Español: 615/515-8630

Finances

Health

Decision-Making Support

College

Employment

Community Envolvement

Diploma Training

Understanding Tennessee’s four diploma options

This presentation explains the 4 Diplomas (Regular, Alternate Academic, Occupational, and Special Education) for Tennessee high schools. This is for parents and educators to understand more about the Diplomas and to choose which one works best for the student!

Get more information
Diplomas impact transitional resources

Your child’s diploma path Discover the transition options available for each diploma type your

Regular Education Diploma

Traditional or Self-Employment

College https://www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx

Disability Services at Collegeshttps://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/choosing-starting-school/leaving-high-school/7-things-to-know-about-college-disability-services

College Financial Aid

  • Vocational Rehabilitation can also help pay for College
  • Tennessee Student
    • Assistance TSAC Student Portalhttps://www.tn.gov/collegepays/tsac-student-portal.html 800/342-1663 or615/741-1346TSAC.AidInfo@tn.gov Financing college education in Tennessee
  • Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship
    • https://www.tn.gov/collegepays/money-for-college/state-of-tennessee-programs/tennessee-step-upscholarship.html 800/342-1663 or 615/741-1346 TSAC.AidInfo@tn.gov
  • Hope Scholarship
  • http://www.tn.gov/collegepays/article/tennessee-hope-scholarship
    • Suite 1510, Parkway Towers, 404 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243-0820
    • 615/741-1346 or 800/342-1663
    • Tennessee Promise Scholarship
      • http://www.tn.gov/collegepays/article/tennessee-promise-scholarship
      • 800/342-1663
    • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ 800/433-3243 or 319/337-5665 TTY: 800/730-8913 Financial aid for postsecondary education

     

    Trade school or program- https://www.tbr.edu/institutions/colleges-applied-technology

    • Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Scholarship https://www.tn.gov/collegepays/money-for-college/tn-education-lottery-programs/wilder-naifehtechnical-skills-grant.html

    Military-https://www.defense.gov/Our-Story/Our-Forces/l

Alternate Academic Diploma

Traditional or Self-Employment

Traditional or Self-Employment

  • Vocational Rehabilitation- https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/ds/vocational-rehabilitation.htm
  • American Job Centers Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development https://www.tn.gov/workforce/jobs-and-education/job-search1/find-local-american-job-center.html 615/741-6642

  • Inclusive Higher Education

    https://www.tn.gov/cdd/projects-and-initiatives/education/postsecondary-education-initiative.html

    • ACCESS ETSU East TN State University, Kingsport https://www.etsu.edu/coe/access/ (423) 439-7687
    • EDGE Program Union University http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/edge/ Union University, 1050
    • Union University Drive, Jackson, Tennessee 38305 731/661-5382 11/01/2019 545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37228 615/248-5878
    • FUTURE at The University of Tennessee http://futureut.utk.edu/ 430 Claxton Complex, 1122 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, Tennessee
    • IDEAL at Lipscomb University https://www.lipscomb.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/ideal-program/program-details One University Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37204 800/333-4358 or 615/966-1000
    • Next Steps at Vanderbilt University http://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/vkc/nextsteps 110 Magnolia Circle, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 615/322-8240
    • TigerLIFE at The University of Memphis https://www.memphis.edu/tigerlife/ 100 Ball Hall, Building 29 Room 119, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152 901/678-4303

Occupational Diploma

Traditional or Self-Employment

Inclusive Higher Education

https://www.tn.gov/cdd/projects-and-initiatives/education/postsecondary-education-initiative.html

  • ACCESS ETSU East TN State University, Kingsport https://www.etsu.edu/coe/access/ (423) 439-7687
  • EDGE Program Union University http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/edge/ Union University, 1050
  • Union University Drive, Jackson, Tennessee 38305 731/661-5382 11/01/2019 545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37228 615/248-5878
  • FUTURE at The University of Tennessee http://futureut.utk.edu/ 430 Claxton Complex, 1122 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, Tennessee
  • IDEAL at Lipscomb University https://www.lipscomb.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/ideal-program/program-details One University Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37204 800/333-4358 or 615/966-1000
  • Next Steps at Vanderbilt University http://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/vkc/nextsteps 110 Magnolia Circle, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 615/322-8240
  • TigerLIFE at The University of Memphis https://www.memphis.edu/tigerlife/ 100 Ball Hall, Building 29 Room 119, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152 901/678-4303

 

Project SEARCH

https://projectsearch.us/

Special Education Diploma

Traditional or Self-Employment

Inclusive Higher Education

https://www.tn.gov/cdd/projects-and-initiatives/education/postsecondary-education-initiative.html

  • ACCESS ETSU East TN State University, Kingsport https://www.etsu.edu/coe/access/ (423) 439-7687
  • EDGE Program Union University http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/edge/ Union University, 1050
  • Union University Drive, Jackson, Tennessee 38305 731/661-5382 11/01/2019 545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37228 615/248-5878
  • FUTURE at The University of Tennessee http://futureut.utk.edu/ 430 Claxton Complex, 1122 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, Tennessee
  • IDEAL at Lipscomb University https://www.lipscomb.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/ideal-program/program-details One University Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37204 800/333-4358 or 615/966-1000
  • Next Steps at Vanderbilt University http://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/vkc/nextsteps 110 Magnolia Circle, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 615/322-8240
  • TigerLIFE at The University of Memphis https://www.memphis.edu/tigerlife/ 100 Ball Hall, Building 29 Room 119, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152 901/678-4303

 

Project SEARCH

https://projectsearch.us/

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