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Special Education → Services → Transition Services Unit
Ms. Simone Geness, Supervisor
Office Location:11721 Kemp Mill RoadSilver Spring, Maryland 20902
Phone: 301-649-8008Fax: 301-649-8018Staff Directory
The transition services unit provides stakeholders with the necessary resources, tools, supports and professional development needed to ensure students a successful transition into further education, employment, and full participation in their community.
Transition services are a student centered planning process that is designed to meet the students educational, employment and independent living outcomes. These outcomes may include:
A student's transition plan becomes a part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process beginning at age 14 or younger, if appropriate. Transition planning is a process that should include the following:
Students receive an array of services to help them attain their identified post-secondary outcomes and to prepare them to be college, career and community ready. These services may include, but are not limited to; career education, career exploration, social skills and self-advocacy instruction, career technology education, in-school and community work-based learning experiences, independent living skills instruction, and linkage to community agencies.
MCPS Transition Information for Parents and Students, Families of students with an IEP for Ages 14 to 21 - Interpreters available upon request.
Sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools Transition Services Unit.
Questions? Please call MCPS Transition Services at (301) 649-8008
Listed below are commonly used publications related to transition planning. These publications are organized according to their source - MCPS, Montgomery County, the State of Maryland, and National.
MCPS Publications:
County Publications:
National Publications:
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1. What is transition planning?
Transition planning is the process of implementing a coordinated set of activities that is designed to help a student with disabilities reach his/her identified outcomes.
2. What are Outcomes?
Outcomes are the post-school activities toward which the student is working. The IEP team may identify more than one outcome for a student. There are four identified outcomes in the transition section of the Individualized Education Program:
3. When does transition planning occur?
Transition planning first becomes a formal part of the IEP during the school year in which the student turns 14, or younger, if appropriate.
4. What services may students receive?
Students may receive an array of services including, but not limited to the following:
5. Who provides these services?
All staff involved in the students educational program are responsible for preparing students to achieve their post-secondary and employment goals. Special responsibility is assigned to the Transition Support Teacher (TST) who coordinates the transition planning process.
6.What are anticipated postsecondary services?
Each year, as part of the transition plan, the IEP team identifies the services the student may need during the first year following their exit from school. Students must meet eligibility criteria in order to receive services.
7. How are students linked to post-school services?
Starting at age 14, or earlier if appropriate, the IEP team should discuss and plan linkages to post-school services as part of the transition planning process.
8. What is the difference between entitlement and eligibility systems?
A free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for individuals with disabilities is an entitlement from birth until the end of the school year in which the student earns their diploma or turns 21 years old. In order to receive post-secondary services and support, a student must apply and be found eligible based on the providing agency's referral protocol.
9. Which students earn a Maryland High School diploma?
All High School students receive a Maryland High School diploma based upon successful fulfillment of four categories of requirements: enrollment, course credit, student service learning (SSL) and Maryland assessments.
10. Which students earn a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion?
The Maryland High School Certificate is awarded to students with disabilities who cannot meet the requirements for a diploma, but who meet one of the following standards:
The final decision to award a student with disabilities a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion will not be made until after the beginning of the student's last year in high school.
11. Can students who receive a Maryland Certificate of Program Completion prior to age 21 re-enroll?
Yes. IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) allows for continuation of educational services to student with disabilities up to age 21.
Yes. Students who graduate with a certificate may apply for admissions to any Maryland community college, such as Montgomery College. Students should contact the admissions office of the college for specific school requirements.
Parents and guardians are important and valued partners with students and school staff in identifying their child’s postsecondary outcomes, planning the school program, and determining the adult service needs. Parents obtain information on available services through parent meetings and participating in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning process.
Listed below is the contact information for resources in the county that are commonly used for transition planning.
Listed below is the contact information for resources in the state of Maryland that are commonly used for transition planning.