Lesson Plan
Post-Secondary Options Framework
Students will explore college, vocational, and community-based post-secondary options, compare their features, and create a personalized transition plan with clear next steps.
This lesson empowers 12th-grade special education students to make informed choices about life after graduation, building independence and confidence as they prepare for their future.
Audience
12th Grade Special Education
Time
70 minutes
Approach
Interactive presentation, comparison activity, and guided planning.
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Beyond Graduation Presentation slides to familiarize yourself with key talking points
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Option Comparison Matrix activity for each student
- Ensure each student has a copy of the Create Your Transition Plan template
- Review the Plan Quality Rubric criteria for effective feedback
- Prepare copies of the Next Step Pledge handout
Step 1
Introduction & Objectives
5 minutes
- Greet students and outline today's goals: explore post-secondary paths, compare options, and build a transition plan
- Display slide 1 of the Beyond Graduation Presentation with lesson objectives
- Invite students to share one hope they have for life after graduation
Step 2
Presentation: Explore Options
15 minutes
- Present slides 2–7 of the Beyond Graduation Presentation
- Cover college pathways (2- and 4-year), vocational programs, and community supports
- Highlight sample programs, entry requirements, and support services
- Pause to check for understanding and answer student questions
Step 3
Activity: Compare Options
15 minutes
- Distribute the Option Comparison Matrix to each student
- Explain matrix columns: Option Type, Cost, Duration, Support Services, Pros/Cons
- Students work individually or in pairs to fill out two options they find most interesting
- Circulate to provide guidance and clarify details
Step 4
Project: Create Your Transition Plan
20 minutes
- Provide each student with the Create Your Transition Plan template
- Guide students through sections: Goals, Timeline, Resources Needed, Responsible Person
- Encourage realistic goal-setting and identify community or school contacts
- Offer one-on-one support as students draft their plans
Step 5
Review & Rubric Discussion
10 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share a portion of their transition plan
- Use the Plan Quality Rubric to highlight strengths and areas for improvement
- Facilitate peer feedback, focusing on clarity, feasibility, and completeness
Step 6
Cool-Down: Next Step Pledge
5 minutes
- Hand out the Next Step Pledge for students to write one concrete action they will take this week
- Invite students to read their pledges aloud or display them on a classroom board
- Collect pledges and encourage students to revisit them in future check-ins
Slide Deck
Beyond Graduation: Exploring Your Next Steps
Today’s Objectives
• Identify and compare post-secondary options
• Use criteria to evaluate choices
• Draft a personalized transition plan
Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s goals: explore post-secondary paths, compare options, and draft a transition plan. Ask each student to share one hope they have for life after graduation.
College Pathways
2-Year Community Colleges
• Affordable tuition
• Flexible schedules
• Transfer opportunities
4-Year Universities
• Broad degree programs
• Campus life & extracurriculars
• Specialized support services
Explain the difference between 2-year and 4-year colleges. Highlight cost, program variety, and support services for students with IEPs.
Vocational & Technical Programs
• Hands-on training in trades & technical fields
• Shorter program lengths (6 months–2 years)
• Certifications & apprenticeships
• Strong job placement services
Discuss vocational fields: show examples (automotive technology, culinary arts, cosmetology). Emphasize hands-on training and certification.
Community Supports & Resources
• Paid internships & job coaching
• Independent living skills programs
• Social & recreational groups
• Local agencies & nonprofits
Introduce community supports: talk about agencies like VR, independent living classes, and recreational groups. Encourage students to list local resources they know.
Comparing Your Options
Use the Option Comparison Matrix to evaluate:
• Cost & duration
• Support services available
• Pros & cons based on your goals
Select two options to compare in detail.
Demonstrate how to fill out the matrix. Walk through each column: cost, duration, supports, pros/cons. Encourage students to ask clarifying questions.
Creating Your Transition Plan
Grab your Create Your Transition Plan template.
Complete these sections:
• Goals (what you want)
• Timeline (when to achieve)
• Resources & supports needed
• Who will help you
Model filling in one section of the template. Remind students to set realistic, measurable goals and identify who will support them.
Next Step Pledge
Reflect & commit:
• Write one concrete action you’ll take this week
• Share your pledge with the class
Hand in your pledge sheet for our follow-up.
Distribute the pledge handout. Invite volunteers to read their pledges. Explain we’ll revisit these in future check-ins.
Activity
Option Comparison Matrix
Use the table below to compare two post-secondary options. Fill in each box with details from our discussion or your own research.
| Option | Cost | Duration | Support Services | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1: | |||||
| Option 2: |
Next Steps:
- Review your entries.
- Be ready to explain which option you find most appealing and why.
Project Guide
Create Your Transition Plan
Use this guided template to outline your personalized steps after graduation. Be as specific as you can!
1. My Goal
What is your main post-graduation goal? (e.g., enroll in a program, find a job, join a volunteer group)
2. Timeline
When do you plan to achieve this goal? (Month/Year)
3. Resources & Supports Needed
Who or what will help you? (People, programs, tools, accommodations)
4. Responsible Person
Who will be your point of contact or mentor? (Name & role—for example, Job Coach, Counselor)
5. Next Steps & Checkpoints
List at least two concrete actions and target dates to keep you on track:
- Action: _________________________ By: _______________
- Action: _________________________ By: _______________
Keep this plan visible and revisit it often. Share updates with your support team to stay on course!
Rubric
Plan Quality Rubric
Use this rubric to assess the strength of each student’s transition plan. Scores range from 1 (Beginning) to 4 (Exemplary).
| Criterion | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Goal Clarity & Specificity | Goal is very clear, measurable, and reflects student’s interests and strengths. | Goal is clear and relevant but may lack one measurable detail or full alignment with interests. | Goal is stated but is vague, broad, or missing measurable elements. | Goal is unclear, overly general, or not stated. |
| 2. Timeline & Milestones | Timeline is realistic, includes specific dates/months, and breaks the goal into clear milestones. | Timeline has dates and milestones but one or two are imprecise or slightly ambitious. | Timeline lists a target date but lacks intermediate milestones or realistic pacing. | Timeline is missing, unrealistic, or has no clear milestones. |
| 3. Resources & Supports Needed | Identifies multiple relevant resources (people, programs, tools) with specific roles and contacts. | Lists key resources and support persons but may omit one or two details (e.g., contact info). | Mentions some resources but lacks specificity or omits critical supports. | Fails to identify necessary resources or supports. |
| 4. Feasibility & Realism | Plan steps are highly achievable given student’s skills, time frame, and context. | Plan is generally realistic, though one or two steps may require extra support to achieve. | Some steps are ambitious or unrealistic without additional preparation. | Plan includes steps that are not feasible or do not consider student’s abilities and context. |
| 5. Accountability & Checkpoints | Includes at least two clear action steps with deadlines and identifies responsible contacts. | Includes action steps and deadlines but may lack clear assignment of responsibility for one step. | Lists action steps but deadlines or responsible persons are missing or unclear. | No concrete action steps, deadlines, or accountability measures included. |
Scoring:
- 18–20 points: Exemplary (Consistently 4s)
- 14–17 points: Proficient (Combination of 3s and 4s)
- 10–13 points: Developing (Combination of 2s and 3s)
- ≤ 9 points: Beginning (Mostly 1s and 2s)
Use this rubric during the Review & Rubric Discussion phase in the Post-Secondary Options Framework to provide targeted feedback on clarity, completeness, and feasibility.
Cool Down
Next Step Pledge
Use this pledge to commit to one concrete action you will take this week toward your post-graduation plan. Be specific and include a target date.
1. Student Name: _______________________________
2. My Next Step Action (What I will do):
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Target Completion Date: _______________________
4. Why This Action Matters to Me:
_____________________________________________________________________
5. I pledge to complete this action by the date above.
Student Signature: __________________________ Date: ____________
Keep this pledge somewhere you can see it. We’ll revisit it in our next check-in to celebrate your progress!