National Transition Guidelines

These guidelines provide specialist educators, schools and parents with best practice information to support effective transition planning for students with special education needs. The guidelines include action points and are derived from the following evidence-based best practice principles: 

• beginning planning early (by age 14)
• placing the learner and their whānau at the centre
• building partnerships between schools and communities
• ensuring transition plan goals are embedded in education and community settings
• identifying and addressing barriers providing information and support
• differentiating between learner and whānau needs including life skills in transition planning
• making use of community settings
• regularly monitoring and evaluating transition plan outcomes.