Glenbard News Spotlight: Transition Program - bridging high school and adulthood

At Glenbard District 87, the Transition Program helps young adults take the next steps toward independence, confidence, and success after high school. Designed for students ages 18 to 22 who receive special education services, the program focuses on preparing students to achieve their adult goals, whether that’s pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or developing independent living skills.

“We offer Transition Services for our students who are 18 to 22 years old in special education that require extra support in order to meet their adult goals,” said Dawn Langdon, Student Services Coordinator for the Transition Program and Extended School Year. “We have two community-based sites that our students go to, as well as services at the College of DuPage.”

Each student’s journey begins with a personalized transition plan, which starts at age 14½ and outlines vocational, educational, and independent living goals. “When students are focusing on those academic goals, as well as transition goals, by the time that they leave us we are really focusing on those areas,” Langdon said. “We ask, ‘What do you want life to look like when you leave Glenbard services and how can we help you get there as independently as possible?’ ”

Families play an important role in the process, and participation in transition services is flexible. “Students that are recommended for transition services through their IEP will go through that process. However, students will have already completed their graduation requirements,” Langdon explained. “If this is something that they feel they don’t need, they can absolutely take that diploma. Some students stay for a year and say, ‘I’ve got my goal, I’m ready to go.’ Others may continue through age 22 if they still need that support.”

No matter how long they stay, every student leaves the program with a personalized post-graduation plan. “We’re proud that every student who leaves us has a plan for their next step,” Langdon said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every student’s goals are individualized.”

The program also helps families prepare for the shift from school-based to adult-based services. “For many of our families, they’ve had that school support team since their child was three,” Langdon said. “This is a whole new experience. We help guide parents to understand that there are adult supports and resources out there. They may look different, but they exist, and we make sure families are connected before they leave us.”

Students in the Transition Program put their learning into practice through entrepreneurial experiences and community engagement. Each year, the popular Fall Sale offers a showcase of the students’ creativity and business skills featuring handmade cookies, coffee from the in-house coffee shop, jewelry, candles, greeting cards, body scrubs, and plants.

“Our sales are some of the highlights that we have every year,” Langdon said. “It’s wonderful to see the students practice these skills, make things, and get the chance to do it in real life. They’re excited about it, we get excited about it, and as soon as we’re done, they’re already planning the next one.”

The Transition Program has also introduced entrepreneurship discussions for students interested in starting their own ventures. Learning what it takes to launch an idea and create a platform for success.

For some students, the bridge to adulthood extends to higher education through dual enrollment at the College of DuPage (COD). These students take college-level courses for credit while continuing to receive Glenbard case management support.

“At COD, we help students navigate campus life and advocate for themselves whenever they need extra support,” Langdon said. “That includes connecting them with accommodations, advisors, tutoring, or extracurricular activities. We consider ourselves that bridge between high school and adulthood.”

The impact of these experiences continues beyond graduation. “We are always so excited when students come back and visit,” Langdon added. “The fall sale was an awesome opportunity to see some of our former students. Some who have graduated and are now part of special recreation programs in the community return to shop and reconnect.”