What is the purpose of a transition assessment?

• A. To measure only academic achievement.
• B. To collect information about a student’s interests, strengths, and needs to inform transition planning and goals.
• C. To determine eligibility for special education.
• D. To schedule the next IEP meeting.

Answer: (B)

Transition planning begins with gathering information that helps shape what happens after high school. A transition assessment collects a student’s interests, strengths, and needs to inform the goals and the supports that will help reach them. This data drives the development of measurable postsecondary goals in areas like education or training, employment, and independent living, and it helps identify the experiences, accommodations, and services the school should provide. It’s not about determining eligibility for special education or about scheduling the next meeting; those steps rely on other processes. Centering the student’s preferences and abilities makes transition planning practical and relevant to their future.