The Individual Transition Plan (ITP) is a written plan designed to help prepare students for passage from school to post-school life. [20 U.S.C. Sec. 1401(34); Cal. Ed. Code Secs. 56462 & 56345.1.] The ITP must be based on the student’s needs, preferences and interests and reflect the student’s own goals. Objectives, timeliness, and people responsible for meeting the objectives should be written into the ITP (and made part of the IEP). It is important to understand that transition planning and development of the ITP are part of the IEP process.
Transition planning can occur at a combined Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Individualized Transition Plan (ITP) meeting or it can occur in a separate meeting. A separate transition planning meeting can be beneficial because it allows more time to focus on the student’s desires and preferences. Then, the ITP can be made part of the IEP.