High School Transition Curriculum for Grades 9–12
A standards-aligned, spiraled high school transition curriculum that prepares students with mild-to-moderate needs for postsecondary success—while simplifying Indicator 13 compliance.
168 Lessons · 6 Domains · Grades 9–12 · Financial Literacy Included · 3-Tier Differentiation · Pre/Post Assessment
A 4-Year High School Transition Pathway
A spiraled scope and sequence that builds independence and readiness across Grades 9–12.
Grade 9
Exploration
Start strong with self-awareness and routines. Build study habits, self-care, and confidence while exploring job, strengths skills and friendships.
Grade 10
Planning
Turn interests into a plan. Choose courses with purpose, level up time management, and build workplace + budgeting basics for growing independence.
Grade 11
Practice
Make it real with hands-on practice. Strengthen communication, work ethic, and problem-solving—plus postsecondary readiness and smart learning tools.
Grade 12
Launch
Launch your next chapter by putting your plan into action. Practice adult-life skills like housing, budgeting & bills, responsibilities and healthcare—and advocate for your rights and supports.
Progression of High School Transition Curriculum Across 6 Core Domains
A spiraled scope and sequence that develops transition skills year by year across Grades 9–12
Self-Determination
Across four years, students build a stronger sense of self and direction—starting with identifying strengths and support needs, then growing into self-advocacy, decision-making, and leadership. Along the way, they practice seeking support, overcoming limiting beliefs, solving problems, and developing resilience. By the end of high school, students take greater responsibility for choices and goals and are prepared to advocate for themselves as they move into adult life.
Independent Living
Students develop practical independence skills that start with daily routines—cleaning, cooking, personal care, organization, and time management—and expand into community navigation and accessing resources safely. Over the years, students add more complex responsibilities like budgeting, paying bills, choosing housing, and managing appointments. By the end of high school, students have the foundational knowledge and routines needed to handle adult responsibilities more independently and safely.
Employment Skills
Students build career readiness from the ground up—job search basics, résumé writing, applications, and interview preparation—while learning what employers expect (professionalism, punctuality, communication, teamwork). As skills mature, students practice real workplace behaviors like reliability, leadership, safety, and using workplace technology. By the end of high school, students connect strengths and interests to career options and develop the advanced habits and communication skills needed to thrive on the job.
Education & Training
Students learn how to manage learning demands in high school and beyond by building study habits, organization systems, and routines that support academic growth. Over time, instruction expands into planning tools, time management, motivation strategies, and the changing expectations of postsecondary environments. By upper grades, students apply these skills to evaluate pathways, prepare for graduation, and navigate real academic responsibilities—including requesting accommodations and building independent learning habits.
Social Skills
Students strengthen communication, empathy, and relationship skills across increasingly complex situations. Early instruction focuses on navigating friendships, social cues, and digital behavior while building foundational communication and conflict-resolution skills. As students grow, they learn boundary-setting, leadership, respect for differences, and strategies for handling challenging social dynamics. By the end of high school, students apply mature interpersonal skills across school, workplace, and community settings.
Health & Wellness
Students build lifelong wellness habits through emotional awareness, physical health routines, stress management, safety practices, and healthy decision-making. Early learning establishes foundational routines (hygiene, movement, nutrition basics, emotional regulation) and grows into preventive care, stress reduction, and help-seeking strategies. By the end of high school, students create personal wellness plans and practice the skills needed for healthy transitions into adulthood.
What's Included in the High School Transition Curriculum
Ori Learning’s high school transition curriculum delivers 168 lessons spanning four grade levels and six core domains, plus a dedicated Financial Literacy strand. Each domain spirals across all four years, building complexity and independence as students progress from 9th through 12th grade.
Each domain includes five lessons per grade level. Sample lessons shown below.
| Domain | 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Determination | Finding My Strengths, Reaching My Goals | Overcoming Limiting Beliefs, Setting Short-Term Goals | My Mindset, Long-Term Goals | Making Decisions, Understanding Rights & Responsibilities |
| Education + Training | My Learning Style, Learning Support Accommodations | How to Study, Using a Planner | Postsecondary Options, Learning with AI | Postsecondary Planning, Requesting Accommodations |
| Employment Skills | Building a Résumé, Interviewing with Confidence | Exploring Career Interest, Preparing for Entry-Level Jobs | Workplace Communication, Work Ethic | Digital Work Tools, Professional Communication |
| Independent Living | How to Cook and Prepare Food, Making a Schedule | Budget Basics, Daily Routines That Work | Being Active in My Community, Solving Community Problems | Finding a Place to Live, Creating a Budget, Paying Bills |
| Social Skills | Communication Skills, Bullying and Cyberbullying | Building Healthy Relationships, Resolving Conflicts | Teamwork, Setting Boundaries | Conflict Resolution, Leading with Integrity |
| Health + Wellness | What Is Mental Health?, Understanding Emotions | Managing Stress, Staying Safe | Self-Care, Managing My Feelings | Substance Use Prevention, Healthy Transitions |
| Financial Literacy | Introduction to Money, Ways to Earn & Spend, How to Save | Money Matters, Budgeting Basics, Bank Accounts, Credit vs. Debit | ||
Every lesson includes pre/post assessments to measure growth, 3-tier differentiation to meet diverse learner needs, and scenario-based activities that connect skills to real life.
Research & Best Practices
Ori Learning’s transition curriculum is grounded in evidence-based transition practices and national frameworks:
- Guideposts to Success — National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth
- Effective Practices in Secondary Transition — National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT:C)
- Transition IEP Indicator 13 Checklist — National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) — CAST
See the Full Grades 9–12 Scope & Sequence
Download the complete scope and sequence to review unit progression, lesson objectives, and standards alignment.
Built on Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
For Students
We don’t treat accessibility as an “add-on.” We use UDL to ensure instruction works best for every learner.
- Leveled Tasks: Foundational, Core, and Extension activities for every lesson to meet students where they are.
- Voice & Choice: Students answer via Text, Audio, or Drawing.
- Accommodations Bar: Integrated text-to-speech and translation for 130+ languages.
Ready-to-Teach Engagement
FOR TEACHERS
Move beyond static PDFs. Our interactive lessons engage students with real-time participation tools while giving teachers full control.
- 3 Delivery Modes: Instantly switch between Front-of-Class, Student-Paced, or Live Participation.
- Collaboration Boards: Digital sticky notes for class discussion with moderation controls.
- Zero-Prep Planning: Comprehensive guides include pacing, vocabulary, and objectives.
Assess. Instruct. Measure.
FOR ADMINISTRATORS
Transition is a process, not a checkbox. Ori Learning supports the entire lifecycle:
- Establish Baseline: Start the course with a Pre-Course Assessment to identify current interests and knowledge gaps.
- Targeted Instruction: Students engage in differentiated lessons that build real-world skills and vocabulary.
- Monitor Progress: Use Post-Course Assessments to track growth, providing evidence that students are acquiring the skills needed for their post-secondary goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About High School Transition Curriculum
What should a high school transition curriculum include for students with IEPs?
A comprehensive high school transition curriculum should address six core domains: self-determination, education and training, employment skills, independent living, interpersonal skills, and health and wellness. It should align with IDEA Indicator 13 requirements and support measurable postsecondary goals in the student’s IEP. Ori Learning’s curriculum covers all six domains across 168 lessons with built-in pre/post assessments to document progress.
How does this curriculum align with IDEA Indicator 13 requirements?
IDEA Indicator 13 requires that transition-age students have coordinated, measurable IEP goals tied to postsecondary outcomes. Ori Learning’s high school transition curriculum provides structured lessons in career readiness, independent living, and self-determination that directly support these goals. Pre/post assessments in every lesson help IEP teams document student progress toward transition objectives.
What grades does Ori’s high school transition curriculum cover?
The curriculum spans grades 9 through 12 with 168 lessons organized across six core domains. Each domain spirals across all four grade levels, progressing from Exploration (Grade 9) through Planning, Practice, and Launch (Grade 12). A dedicated Financial Literacy strand is also included.
How is instruction differentiated for students with different support needs?
Every lesson includes three tiers of differentiation designed using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Students can engage through multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement. Lessons feature group discussion, collaboration boards, and scenario-based activities—allowing teachers to match instruction to individual learning profiles.
What standards does Ori’s high school transition curriculum align to?
The curriculum is grounded in evidence-based transition practices recognized by the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT:C), the DOL/ODEP Guideposts to Success framework, and CAST’s Universal Design for Learning. It also supports IDEA transition planning requirements and the Indicator 13 checklist.
Can this curriculum be used in self-contained, resource, and inclusion settings?
Yes. The three-tier differentiation model and flexible delivery options allow teachers to use Ori’s transition curriculum in self-contained special education classrooms, resource rooms, co-taught inclusion settings, and transition-focused programs. Lessons can be delivered whole-class, small-group, or independently.
Curriculum designed by Tess Hileman, M.Ed. and Dr. Miriam Gayle, EdD — bringing decades of experience in special education, transition planning, and curriculum development to every lesson.
The Journey Doesn’t End After Grade 12
See how our High School curriculum aligns with our Adult Transition track through a single, vertically aligned framework — from Grade 9 through age 22+. Explore the Adult Transition Curriculum or download the full Scope & Sequence.