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Transition Planning
 It is our aim to help students achieve their personal and professional dreams through career exploration classes, vocational assessments, work study, and other experiences that match their interests and abilities.
Upon reaching age 14, students may begin developing a plan, in collaboration with their families and teachers, for transitioning into post-secondary education, training or employment.
Transition refers to activities meant to prepare students for adult life. This can include developing postsecondary education and career goals, getting work experience while still in school, setting up linkages with adult service providers such as the vocational rehabilitation agency, whatever is appropriate for the student, given his or her interests, preferences, skills, and needs.
Diploma Pathways
A pathway is a planned program of study (courses, IEP goals, objectives and benchmarks) designed to address the needs of individual students. The IEP team plays a key role in the IEP graduation process. The team should consist of the student, parent(s), special educator, general educator (as appropriate), administrator, transition specialist, related service provider(s), evaluation/diagnostic specialist, adult service provider(s), and others per family request.
In New Mexico, there is one diploma. For students receiving special education services, there are three pathways to that diploma. It is imperative that IEP teams make decisions to change a pathway in a timely manner, at least one year before a student's projected date of graduation.
*IEP team should not change a senior's pathway after the first month of the senior year.
Three pathways to a diploma are described below:
1. Standard Pathway
A program of study based upon meeting or surpassing all requirements for graduation as identified in the New Mexico Standards for Excellence, with or without reasonable modification of delivery and assessment methods. The IEP team selects required courses and electives based on the student's post-school goals, interests, and needs.
NMSD graduation requirements (based on the New Mexico Standards for Excellence)
1. 24 credits
- 4-English
- 4-Mathematics*
- 3-Social Studies
- 2-Science (one of which is a lab)**
- 1-Communication Skills or Business Education
- 1-Physical Education
- 9-Electives***
*Students entering 9th grade in 2003-2004, at least 1 unit must be equivalent to Algebra I or higher
**Students entering 9th grade in 2005-2006 are required to complete 3 units in science - one of which is a lab
***Students entering 9th grade in 2005-2006 will have 8 electives available
2. New Mexico High School Competency Exam (NMHSCE) or current NM graduation examination
- Must pass all sections of the NMHSCE under standard administration with state-approved accommodations by obtaining a minimum level of proficiency and/or performance established by the Public Education Department.
 2. Career Readiness Pathway
A program of study based upon meeting the State Board of Education's Career Readiness Standards and Benchmarks as defined in the IEP, with or without reasonable modification of delivery and assessment methods. The career readiness pathway takes into account the individual student's interests, career preference and needs and allows for the substitution of classes as appropriate. The IEP team bases the goals and objectives on the student's needs and the Career Readiness Standards and Benchmarks. The team uses the IEP to document mastery of those standards and benchmarks.
NMSD graduation requirements
(based on the New Mexico Standards for Excellence)
1. 24 credits
- 4-English
- 4-Mathematics
- 3-Social Studies
- 2-Science (one of which is a lab)*
- 1-Communications
- 1-Physical Education
- 9-Electives**
*Students entering 9th grade in 2005-2006 are required to complete 3 units in science - one of which is a lab
**Students entering 9th grade in 2005-2006 will have 8 electives available
2. New Mexico High School Competency Exam (NMHSCE) or current NM graduation examination
- Must take the NMHSCE achieving a level of competency or targeted proficiency as determined by the IEP team. 'Level of competency' is a score on the current graduation exam, determined by the IEP team as a proficiency level the student must reach. For the purposes of accountability and reporting, if the score determined by the IEP team falls short of the state's minimum requirement, the school reports the student as a no pass on the graduation examination. The IEP team should look closely at the 10th grade test scores and consider those scores to be a baseline of performance from which the IEP team will identify strategies to improve the student's skills to pass the current exit exam or achieve the level of competency determined by the IEP team.
3. Ability Pathway
A program of study based upon meeting or surpassing IEP goals and objectives, with or without reasonable modification of delivery and assessment methods, referencing skill attainment at a student's ability level, which may lead to meaningful employment. The IEP team designs the ability pathway to meet the student's needs with IEP goals, objectives and benchmarks developed to provide the most appropriate program for the student. Typically, IEP teams develop the ability pathway for students with severe cognitive and/or physical disabilities or students with severe mental health challenges. The ability pathway varies from the standard high school graduation requirements. The IEP team must individualize the ability pathway for each student's needs.
NMSD graduation requirements
(based on the New Mexico Standards for Excellence)
1. Meet all graduation requirements established by the IEP team.
- Under this graduation plan, the majority of the goals and objectives relate to life and community skills.
2. New Mexico High School Competency Exam (NMHSCE) or current NM graduation examination
- Must take the NMHSCE achieving a level of competency as determined by the IEP team (see Career Pathway above for more information), OR the New Mexico Alternate Assessment if the student meets the participation criteria
The receipt of a high school diploma terminates access to special education services, as does the General Education Development (GED).
 Certificate
The Certificate is not a Pathway to a Diploma. IEP teams may use a certificate when a student has completed the high school portion of his or her education and is on track for graduation, but the student still has transition needs that must be addressed by school staff and adult service providers working together. In these instances, a student may earn a certificate that entitles him or her to participate in graduation activities and continue toward obtaining the high school diploma based on a plan to implement transition services. The certificate does not end a student's right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The certificate follow-up plan of action allows for assistance with accessing adult services, seeking and maintaining employment, or pursuing post-secondary training with support. The student receives the diploma upon successful completion of the IEP goals and transition outcomes.
Contacts
Dan Timlen, Transition Specialist
(505) 476-6379 (Voice)
(800) 841-6699 (v/tty)
daniel.timlen@nmsd.k12.nm.us
Terry Wilding, Principal - Middle & High School
(505) 216-2026
(505) 476-6379 (Voice)
(800) 841-6699 (v/tty)
terry.wilding@nmsd.k12.nm.us
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