Michigan's Core Message for Secondary Transition represents the collaborative efforts of the Michigan Transition Services Association (MTSA) and the Michigan Transition Outcomes Project (MI-TOP).
Quality Education assists each student in developing a post-school vision and a pathway to obtain the vision. Effective planning and coordinated implementation are critical for successfully transitioning each student through school to adulthood.
Transition requires a whole-person approach to planning. It includes the provision of those coordinated supports needed by each student to develop and achieve his/her post-school goals and receive a quality education.
Quality Education prepares each student to meet adult challenges and engage in the community.
Transitioning each student through school has four major components:
- Strength based – Grounds educational planning in the student’s strengths, needs, preferences and interests;
- Self-advocacy – Empowers every student and family to develop goals for adult life and to develop a plan to get there;
- High expectations – Designs and implements a school experience that ensures each student gains the skills and competencies needed to achieve his or her desired post-school goals; and meets or exceeds the academic standards of the Michigan Merit Curriculum;
- Supportive relationships – Identifies and facilitates the linkages for each student and family to needed post-school services, supports or programs before the student exits school.
Transition addresses a very real challenge – not only to ensure that all students achieve their individual academic potential but also gain the skills needed to realize their desired post-school goals and assume adult responsibilities. While IDEA 2004 requires certain planning mandates for eligible individuals with disabilities, when viewed independently from the special education context these are also quality practices for all students.
The shared challenge for all educators is to keep each student engaged in meaningful, coordinated educational experiences so he/she will stay in school and be prepared for post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.