Future Pathways Lesson Plan Future Pathways
Tier 3 Transition Plan
Personalized post-secondary exploration and goal setting.
Time
15 Minutes
Audience
12th Grade (SPED)
Focus
One-on-One Support
Why This Matters
Personalized transition planning empowers students to clarify aspirations, build planning skills, and increase confidence for successful adult life transitions.
Teacher Preparation
Print materials: Survey, Goal-Setting Worksheet, Planner, and Mapping Poster.Gather pencils or markers for annotations and visual mapping.
Arrange a quiet, distraction-free workspace.
Review student's IEP transition goals and past interest inventories.
Instructional Roadmap
Mins 2
Build Rapport
Greet the student warmly. Explain that today is about their voice and their future. Reinforce that their interests are central.
Mins 4
Explore Interests
Material: Transition Interest Survey
Support the student in completing the survey. Discuss their top 1-2 interest areas and the "why" behind them.
Mins 4
Identify Goals
Material: Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet
Translate interests into SMART goals: one academic/career goal and one personal/independent living goal.
Mins 3
Plan Action Steps
Material: Next Steps Planner Template
Brainstorm 2–3 concrete steps for each goal. Focus on realistic timelines and necessary supports (who can help?).
Mins 2
Wrap-Up & Reflection
Material: Visual Goal Mapping Poster
Review action steps. Encourage the student to use the Visual Goal Mapping Poster at home as a daily reminder of their path.
Future Pathways Slides Future Pathways
Planning Your Next Steps After High School
Transition Journey
Welcome!
Today is all about you . We are going to explore your interests, set clear goals, and plan the actual steps to get there.
"Your interests and ideas drive this session. There are no wrong answers!"
TEACHER NOTES: 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.
1. Explore Your Interests
1
Complete the Transition Interest Survey .
2
Identify your top 1–2 interest areas .
3
Discuss why these areas matter to you.
TEACHER NOTES: Hand out the Transition Interest Survey. Encourage the student to think honestly about what they enjoy doing and why.
2. Identify Your Goals
Academic & Career
What do you want to learn or do for work?
Personal & Living
How do you want to live and take care of yourself?
Use the Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet .
TEACHER NOTES: Use the survey insights to guide the student. Hand them the Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet and prompt them to articulate two clear goals.
3. Plan Action Steps
Brainstorm 2–3 concrete steps for each goal.
Set realistic timelines (When will you do it?).
Identify supports (Who can help?).
TEACHER NOTES: Introduce the Next Steps Planner Template. Brainstorm concrete steps together and help them assign timelines and supports.
Wrap-Up & Reflection
You've built a map for your future today. Take your Visual Goal Mapping Poster with you!
Stay Confident
Display at Home
TEACHER NOTES: Review each action step to confirm the student understands and feels confident. Encourage using the poster as a daily reminder.
Transition Interest Survey Transition Interest Survey
Discovering your path after high school.
Name:
Date:
1 Which activities do you enjoy? (Check all that apply)
Reading
Sports
Art / Creative projects
Music
Computers / Technology
Working with numbers
Helping others
Working with tools / machines
Being outdoors
Cooking / Baking
Other:
2 Among the activities you checked, which one is your favorite and why?
3 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:
4 Rate your interest in each area (1 = Low, 5 = High)
Healthcare
12345
Technology
12345
Business
12345
Arts & Design
12345
Skilled Trades
12345
Why did you rate these areas this way?
5 What kind of work environment do you think you’d prefer?
Office setting
Outdoors
Retail / Store
Classroom / Training
Workshop / Garage
Hospital / Clinic
6 What are two new things you’d like to learn or try after high school?
A)
B)
7 Anything else you’d like to share about your interests or goals?
Every great journey begins with a single step.
Personal Goal-Setting Worksheet Personal Goal Setting
Turning your interests into a plan.
Student:
Date:
Goal Checklist: SMART
Is your goal S pecific, M easurable, A chievable, R elevant, and T ime-bound?
1. Academic or Career Goal
My primary goal is:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Time-Bound
2. Personal or Living Goal
My primary goal is:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Time-Bound
!
Ready for the next step? Move on to the Next Steps Planner to break these goals down into actions.
Next Steps Planner Template Next Steps Planner
Your roadmap to success.
Student Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
Now that you have your goals, it's time to build the path to get there. For each goal, list 3 concrete steps you can take. Who will help you, and when will you do it?
Goal 1: Academic / Career
My Goal:
1
Action Step
Timeline (When?)
Supports (Who?)
2
Action Step
Timeline (When?)
Supports (Who?)
3
Action Step
Timeline (When?)
Supports (Who?)
Goal 2: Personal / Living
My Goal:
1
Action Step
Timeline (When?)
Supports (Who?)
2
Action Step
Timeline (When?)
Supports (Who?)
Visual Goal Mapping Poster My Future Path
Action Map & Goal Visualizer
Navigator: ___________________________ Date: ___________________________
CAREER / COLLEGE GOAL
My Big Goal:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
PERSONAL / INDEPENDENT GOAL
My Big Goal:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Believe. Plan. Achieve.
