Lesson Plan
Future Pathways Lesson Plan
Guide a 12th-grade special education student to articulate post–high school goals and outline actionable next steps in a focused, individualized 15-minute session.
Personalized transition planning empowers students to clarify aspirations, build planning skills, and increase confidence for successful adult life transitions.
Audience
12th Grade Special Education Student
Time
15 minutes
Approach
One-on-one guided self-reflection and planning.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 minutes
- Print one copy each of Transition Interest Survey, Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet, and Next Steps Planner Template
- Gather pencils or markers for annotations
- Arrange a quiet, distraction-free workspace
- Review the student’s IEP transition goals and any recent interest inventories
Step 1
Build Rapport
2 minutes
- Greet the student warmly and explain today’s focus on planning for life after high school
- Reinforce that their interests and ideas are central to the discussion
Step 2
Explore Interests
4 minutes
- Have the student complete the Transition Interest Survey
- Discuss the top one or two interest areas they identified and why these matter to them
Step 3
Identify Goals
4 minutes
- Guide the student to transfer insights into the Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet
- Prompt them to articulate one academic/career goal and one personal or independent-living goal
Step 4
Plan Action Steps
3 minutes
- Using the Next Steps Planner Template, brainstorm 2–3 concrete steps for each goal (e.g., research programs, schedule campus visits)
- Encourage the student to set realistic timelines and identify any supports needed
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Reflection
2 minutes
- Review the finalized action steps with the student, ensuring clarity and confidence
- Encourage them to display the Visual Goal Mapping Poster at home as a reminder of their next steps
Slide Deck
Future Pathways: Planning Your Next Steps
Welcome! Today we’ll explore your interests, set goals, and plan action steps to guide you after high school. Let’s get started!
Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of today’s session. Let the student know it will be a 15-minute one-on-one activity focused on planning for life after high school. Emphasize that their ideas and interests are key.
Build Rapport
- Greet student warmly
- Clarify today’s focus: planning for life after high school
- Emphasize that their interests and ideas drive today’s session
Greet the student warmly. Ask how they’re feeling about life after graduation. Reinforce that this is a safe space to share.
Explore Your Interests
- Complete the Transition Interest Survey
- Identify your top 1–2 interest areas
- Discuss why these areas matter to you
Hand out the Transition Interest Survey. Encourage the student to think honestly about what they enjoy doing and why.
Identify Your Goals
- Transfer survey insights to the Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet
- Define 1 academic/career goal
- Define 1 personal or independent-living goal
Use the survey insights to guide the student. Hand them the Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet and prompt them to articulate two clear goals.
Plan Action Steps
- Use the Next Steps Planner Template
- Brainstorm 2–3 concrete steps for each goal
- Set realistic timelines and note any supports needed
Introduce the Next Steps Planner Template. Brainstorm concrete steps together and help them assign timelines and supports.
Wrap-Up & Reflection
- Review finalized action steps
- Ensure clarity and confidence in each step
- Display the Visual Goal Mapping Poster at home as a reminder
Review each action step to confirm the student understands and feels confident. Encourage using the poster as a daily reminder.
Worksheet
Transition Interest Survey
Name: ___________________________ Date: ________________
- Which activities do you enjoy? Check all that apply:
- Reading
- Sports
- Art/Creative projects
- Music
- Computers/Technology
- Working with numbers (math)
- Helping others
- Working with tools or machines
- Being outdoors
- Cooking/Baking
- Other: ______________________
- Among the activities you checked, which one is your favorite and why?
- What skills do you think you are good at? Check all that apply:
- Writing
- Speaking or presenting
- Math or calculations
- Art or drawing
- Using technology/devices
- Organizing or planning
- Working with your hands
- Following step-by-step instructions
- Other: ______________________
- Rate your interest in each area (circle one number for each):
Healthcare: 1 2 3 4 5
Technology: 1 2 3 4 5
Business: 1 2 3 4 5
Education: 1 2 3 4 5
Arts & Design: 1 2 3 4 5
Science: 1 2 3 4 5
Skilled Trades: 1 2 3 4 5
Hospitality: 1 2 3 4 5
Why did you rate these areas this way? Explain your thoughts:
- What kind of work environment do you think you’d prefer? Check all that apply:
- Office setting
- Outdoors
- Laboratory
- Retail/store
- Classroom or training center
- Workshop or garage
- Hospital or clinic
- Other: ______________________
- What are two new things you’d like to learn or try after high school?
a) _______________________________________
b) _______________________________________
- Anything else you’d like to share about your interests, strengths, or goals?
Worksheet
Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet
Name: ___________________________ Date: ________________
Instructions
Use this worksheet to write one academic/career goal and one personal or independent-living goal. Make each goal SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
1. Academic/Career Goal
My goal is:
Specific (What exactly do I want to achieve?)
Measurable (How will I know I’ve achieved it?)
Achievable (Is this realistic? What resources or skills do I need?)
Relevant (Why is this goal important to my future?)
Time-bound (By what date or within what timeframe will I complete this?)
2. Personal or Independent-Living Goal
My goal is:
Specific (What exactly do I want to achieve?)
Measurable (How will I know I’ve achieved it?)
Achievable (Is this realistic? What supports or tools do I need?)
Relevant (Why is this goal important to my daily life?)
Time-bound (By what date or within what timeframe will I complete this?)
When you’ve finished defining your SMART goals, use the Next Steps Planner Template to brainstorm concrete action steps, set timelines, and identify supports needed to achieve each goal.
Worksheet
Next Steps Planner Template
Name: ___________________________ Date: ________________
Use this template to turn each of your SMART goals into concrete action steps. For each goal, list up to three steps, assign a timeline, and identify any supports or resources you’ll need.
Goal 1 (Academic/Career Goal)
My goal is:
Action Steps:
- Step 1: ________________________________________
• Timeline: __________________________
• Support/Resources Needed: ____________________
- Step 2: ________________________________________
• Timeline: __________________________
• Support/Resources Needed: ____________________
- Step 3: ________________________________________
• Timeline: __________________________
• Support/Resources Needed: ____________________
Goal 2 (Personal/Independent-Living Goal)
My goal is:
Action Steps:
- Step 1: ________________________________________
• Timeline: __________________________
• Support/Resources Needed: ____________________
- Step 2: ________________________________________
• Timeline: __________________________
• Support/Resources Needed: ____________________
- Step 3: ________________________________________
• Timeline: __________________________
• Support/Resources Needed: ____________________
Worksheet
Visual Goal Mapping Poster
Name: ___________________________ Date: ________________
Instructions
Use this poster to create a visual map of your goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Feel free to add drawings, colors, or symbols to make it your own.
Academic/Career Goal Map
My academic/career goal is:
In the space below, write your goal in a circle. Then draw arrows to three boxes around it—one for each action step.
Action Step 1: ________________________________________
Action Step 2: ________________________________________
Action Step 3: ________________________________________
Personal/Independent-Living Goal Map
My personal/independent-living goal is:
Use the space below to draw your goal in a central shape and connect it with arrows to three steps you’ll take.
Action Step 1: ________________________________________
Action Step 2: ________________________________________
Action Step 3: ________________________________________