Transition Services
Transition services means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that —
(1) Is designed to be within a results oriented process that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child‘s movement from school to post-school activities, including:
postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;
(2) Is based on the individual child‘s needs, taking into account the child‘s strengths, preferences and interests; and
(3) Includes —
(i) Instruction;
(ii) Related services;
(iii) Community experiences;
(iv) The development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives; and
(v) If appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and provision of functional vocational evaluation.
Transition services for children with disabilities may be special education, if provided as specially designed instruction, or related services, if required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. (RI Regulations 300.43)
RIDE Employment First Policy: It is the policy of the RI Department of Education to support and promote practices in local education agencies and with partner agencies that support students with intellectual/developmental disabilities in exiting the public education system to post-secondary education, training and /or work in integrated settings.
The members of this Committee meet monthly to plan transition-related activities and share information through their Regional Transition Center. The Transition Advisory Committee provides a forum for districts to be made aware of current information regarding agencies, legal issues, best practices, and statewide activities. In addition, networking with other professionals and parent representatives allows districts to collaborate to express concerns, solve problems and share resources.
The Complex Learner Support Network (CLS) is a collaboration of state educators of students with complex needs to share valuable resources and experiences in the following transition areas:
- Providing effective life skills instruction
- Designing & managing transition programs for students needing ongoing support
- Facilitating community & work-based instruction
- Coordinating services with adult agencies
- Aligning life skills instruction curriculum
- Identifying best practices & overcoming barrier
Students who complete high school have several post-secondary options. Many high school graduates, including students with disabilities, are not adequately prepared to succeed in post-secondary education. The following Resources provide information on identifying, evaluating, and preparing students for post-secondary option.
Post Secondary Planning
Below are links to download blank versions of the 3 current career development plans:
Rhode Island Statewide Transition Capacity Building Institute
RIDE, in collaboration with the Regional Transition Centers, hosts an annual Statewide Transition Capacity Building Institute. The 13th Annual Institute will be held on May 22, 2026 from 7:30-3:00 at Rhode Island College. The one-day working Institute will engage district teams in transition-rich content sessions, team planning times, and technical assistance from national centers. District are encourages to bring a robust team of special education administrators, special education teachers, transition advisory council members, general educators including career and tech educators, guidance counselors, parent representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.
- For more information on the 2025-26 State Transition Institute, contact your Regional Transition Coordinator.
Rhode Island Regional Transition Centers (RTC)
The Rhode Island Regional Transition Centers provide direct technical support, training and information on transition services to school personnel in each region and assist in the development of statewide training and information activities.
View the RTC Brochure for contact information.