Real-World Skills
What information should a student know before using public transportation?
They should know the route, schedule, fare/payment method, pickup and drop-off locations, transfer information, and what to do if something goes wrong.
What is one difference between high school and college accommodations?
In high school, schools generally have responsibility for identifying and implementing disability-related supports through the applicable educational process. In postsecondary education, the student generally has to identify themselves as having a disability and request accommodations through the school's disability/accessibility services.
What is a budget?
A plan for how you will use your money, including income, expenses, savings, and spending.
What document summarizes a student's skills and work experience?
Resume
What are the three major areas of transition planning?
Education/training, employment, and independent living when appropriate.
What should a student do if they get lost while traveling?
Stay calm, move to a safe location, use a trusted resource such as a map or transit information, and contact a trusted person or appropriate authority for help.
Who is responsible for requesting accommodations after high school?
The student generally takes responsibility for requesting accommodations from the postsecondary institution.
What is the difference between a need and a want?
A NEED is something necessary for living or functioning, such as food or housing. A WANT is something someone would like to have but can live without.
What are three things a student should practice before an interview?
Introducing themselves, answering common interview questions, explaining skills/strengths, dressing appropriately, body language, and communication.
Why should transition goals be based on student preferences and interests?
transition planning should be student-centered and connected to the student's strengths, preferences, interests, needs, and desired post-school outcomes.
What are three safety skills students should know before living independently?
emergency response, recognizing unsafe situations, knowing when to call 911, fire safety, medication/personal safety, internet safety, and knowing trusted contacts.
Name two postsecondary options besides a traditional 4-year college.
Trade school, community college, technical school, apprenticeship, certificate program, military service, or employment-based training.
If a student earns $2,000/month and expenses are $1,700, how much could they potentially save?
$300
A student has never had a job. What school-based activities could provide work experiences?
School- based work experiences, job shadowing, internships, work-based learning, volunteering, school jobs, career exploration, and community-based instruction?
What is the purpose of measurable postsecondary goals?
They describe what the student intends to achieve after high school in areas such as education/training, employment, and, when appropriate, independent living.
What should a student do if they receive a suspicious text asking for money?
Do not send money or personal information. Don't click suspicious links. Verify the request through a trusted source and report/block the message if appropriate.
A student needs accommodations after graduation. What should they learn to do independently?
They should learn how to identify their needs, explain their disability-related barriers, locate the appropriate office/person, provide required documentation, request accommodations, and follow up.
What is a debit card, and how is it different from a credit card?
A debit card generally uses money directly from a person's bank account. A credit card allows someone to borrow money and repay it, potentially with interest.
True or False- Students should practice completing actual job applications before graduation.
TRUE- students should practice applications before graduating.
How can transition assessments help determine appropriate goals?
They provide information about the student's strengths, preferences, interests, needs, skills, and career/postsecondary interests, helping the team develop meaningful postsecondary goals and transition services.
A student gets their first apartment. Name five skills they need to manage independently.
Paying rent, managing utilities, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, budgeting, maintaining personal safety, communicating with a landlord, and handling basic household problems.
A student wants to attend a trade school. What questions should they research before enrolling?
They should research admission requirements, program length, cost, financial aid, transportation, schedule, credential earned, employment opportunities, required tools/equipment, accommodations, and job placement information.
A student receives their first paycheck. What should you teach them to look for?
Teach them to identify gross pay, deductions, taxes, net pay, hours worked, pay rate, and pay period.
A student wants to work but struggles with communication and punctuality. Design a school activity to practice both skills.
Create a mock workplace routine where the student has a scheduled start time, clocks in, communicates with a supervisor, completes assigned tasks, and practices reporting when they need help.
How can transition specialists make transition instruction more closely resemble the student's actual life after graduation?
Provide hands-on, authentic experiences in real settings—such as completing job applications, practicing interviews, grocery shopping with a budget, using public transportation, cooking meals, managing money, visiting colleges/trade programs, and practicing self-advocacy.