The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) held a meeting on September 29, 2025, focusing on transition planning for students with disabilities. The session aimed to provide resources and tools for local education agencies (LEAs) and transition specialists to enhance their support for students as they prepare for post-secondary life.

The meeting began with a presentation on a newly developed technical assistance document designed to clarify the roles and responsibilities of transition coordinators and specialists within LEAs. The document emphasizes the importance of these roles in improving student outcomes and outlines a checklist of activities that coordinators should engage in. This checklist serves as a guide for educators to assess their current practices and identify areas for improvement.

Participants were introduced to a dedicated Padlet, which houses additional resources, including a self-assessment tool. This tool allows teams to evaluate their effectiveness in meeting transition predictors and to ensure that essential practices are being implemented in their settings.

The discussion highlighted the significance of understanding the taxonomy for transition, a framework that categorizes key areas of comprehensive transition programming. The meeting facilitators encouraged attendees to familiarize themselves with this framework, as it aligns with the checklist provided in the technical assistance document.

As the meeting progressed, attendees were invited to access the checklist and reflect on their current practices. They were encouraged to identify strengths and areas for growth, regardless of whether they held a transition coordinator role. This collaborative approach aimed to foster a culture of continuous improvement among educators.

The session concluded with a call for participants to share their insights and questions, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the meeting. Overall, the USBE meeting served as a vital platform for enhancing the support systems in place for students with disabilities, ensuring that educators are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to facilitate successful transitions.