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What Does Transition Planning Look Like?

AUG312022
A male student smiles at the camera while wearing a black cap and gown for graduation.

From MDE-LIO Education Consultant John Kirsh

If you’ve heard the word “transition” used when a student is planning to move from high school to adult life, you may be wondering what it means and what’s involved.

Transition programs empower students to make decisions about their education and employment as they move into adulthood. Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) may experience additional communication barriers, lack of accommodations, and discrimination that make transition planning even more important.

Education and Employment: By the Numbers

In Michigan, only 84 percent of students who are DHH graduated from high school, compared to 92 percent of students who are hearing, according to Postsecondary Achievement of Deaf People in Michigan: 2017 [PDF].

Additionally:

  • 50 percent of students who are DHH had some college, compared to 64 percent of students who are hearing.
  • 15 percent of students who are DHH had bachelor's degrees, compared to 29 percent of students who are hearing.

In terms of employment:

  • 46 percent of individuals who are DHH are employed, 47 percent are not in the labor force, and 7 percent are unemployed.
  • 69 percent of individuals who are hearing are employed, 25 percent are not in the labor force, and 6 percent are unemployed.

Based on the research above, there is a need for transition planning for students who are DHH. This planning is crucial for ensuring students who are DHH have the knowledge, confidence, and self-advocacy skills they need to succeed at college and in the workforce.

Creating a Plan

Transition planning looks different for every student. It can start as early as middle school and is incorporated into the student’s individualized education program. The student, their teachers, parents/guardians, and other service providers are included in the process.

During the process, the team comes up with a plan, including the following items referenced in Transition Planning [PDF] from the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC):

  • Conducting assessments that identify the student’s strengths, needs, likes, and dislikes in areas such as academics, careers, employment, and extracurricular/social activities
  • Identifying postsecondary goals, whether employment, education/training, or independent living
  • Creating a course plan for the classes needed to meet postsecondary and annual goals
  • Agreeing on annual high school goals that support the postsecondary goals, including opportunities to strengthen self-determination and self-advocacy skills

Upcoming DHH Transition Webinar Series

The Michigan Department of Education – Low Incidence Outreach is pleased to offer a webinar series for Michigan students in middle school or high school who are DHH.

During each webinar, students will learn from adults who are DHH as they talk about their experiences finding their own path to success after high school. Each webinar will offer an open question-and-answer format, allowing students to interact with the presenters.

Learn more and register:

If you have any questions, please contact John Kirsh at [email protected]. 

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