DESE Secondary Transition Resources and Materials

Forms

• Summary of Student Performance

• Chapter 688

Advisories and Guidance

• Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2009-1: Transition Planning to Begin at Age 14

• Administrative Advisory SPED 2011-1: Age of Majority

• Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2013-1: Postsecondary Goals and Annual IEP Goals in the Transition Planning Process

• Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2016-2: Promoting Student Self-Determination to Improve Student Outcomes

• Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2017-1: Characteristics of High Quality Secondary Transition Services

• Administrative Advisory SPED 2018-2: Secondary Transition Services and Graduation with a High School Diploma

• Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2020-1: Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

Training Materials

• Secondary Transition Basics for School Professionals, February 2021 Presentation

• Secondary Transition Basics for School Professionals, February 2021 Recording

General Education Resources

• Connecting Activities
  Connecting Activities is a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education initiative that leverages a statewide infrastructure to support college and career readiness for all students.

• DESE Office of College and Career Readiness

• DESE Office of Tiered System of Supports

• Massachusetts Definition of College and Career Readiness and Civic Preparation
  This definition, approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, sets out what it means for students to be prepared for success in postsecondary education and the workplace.

• MA Guide for Implementing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)
  This resource provides guidance for the implementation and use of the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) as a student-directed college and career planning tool.

• MA Work-Based Learning Plan
  The Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan (WBLP) is used throughout Massachusetts to structure youth employment placements, including summer jobs, internships, cooperative education placements and more. It is a four-page document (or four screens if you use the online version) that provides a job description, a list and description of key foundation skills and career and workplace-specific skills, and a performance evaluation.

Disclaimer: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in external websites.

Last Updated: January 30, 2025