Indicator 13 and age-appropriate transition assessment with PAES
Use observed work performance, not just interest inventories, to meet IDEA transition requirements.
What Indicator 13 asks for
Every state has a special education performance plan, and Indicator 13 covers secondary transition in the IEP. Under IDEA (34 CFR §300.320(b)), the IEP in effect when a student turns 16 (or younger, if the team decides) and every IEP after that must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments. It must also include the transition services needed to reach those goals.
| Indicator 13 benchmark question | How PAES helps |
|---|---|
| Is there a postsecondary goal for education/training and employment? | PAES performance and interest data point to realistic employment and training options. |
| Were age-appropriate transition assessments conducted (interests, preferences, aptitudes, achievement)? | PAES is an age-appropriate informal assessment of interests and preferences. Its peer-reviewed validity study highlights employment aptitude and potential. |
| Is there baseline data in present levels to support measurable annual goals? | PAES begins by gathering baseline data on every student, which supports annual and postsecondary goals. |
| Was all assessment data interpreted and used to develop present levels, postsecondary goals and transition services? | PAES data is easy to interpret and can be used directly in present levels, postsecondary goals and transition activities. |
| Are assessments given or updated each year? | PAES gathers ongoing workplace soft-skills data each year as students take part in work-related opportunities. |
Reports your IEP team can use
The Transition Summary describes a student's interests, job-skill strengths and needs, and workplace-skill strengths and needs. It also gives recommended goals for community-based employment and recommended training. Transition Objectives turn those findings into measurable objectives with implementation and evaluation dates. The Summary of Performance can be shared with outside agencies and potential employers.
See sample transition reports
On a short Zoom I'll walk your team through real report examples.