In Washington state, all students must have a High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) as part of their graduation requirements. The HSBP helps students identify career goals, set post-school goals, plan courses, define a graduation pathway, and develop a resume or activity log.

Beginning in 7^th or 8^th grade, students work with school counselors and advisors to create an individual plan which is the student’s “personalized pathway.” Throughout high school they revise their plan annually to accommodate changing interests and postsecondary goals. The postsecondary goals may include pathways to four-year colleges or universities, two-year community or technical colleges, apprenticeship programs, industry standard certificate programs, military training, or on-the-job training.

Students with IEPs may use their transition plans in support of, but not as a replacement for, their HSBPs. The process for developing and updating HSBPs “must be similar to and conducted with similar school personnel as for all other students.” Additionally, HSBPs must be updated in alignment with the students’ transition plan (Washington State Legislature, WAC 180-51-220, High school and beyond plan).

Comparing the IEP Transition Plan and the HSBP
Elements	IEP Transition Plan	HSBP
Requirement	Federal law	State graduation
Assessment	Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment	Career Interest Inventory
Goals	Employment, Education, and Independent Living Postsecondary and Annual	Career and Educational
Course work	Course of Study	Academic Course Planner Graduation Pathway(s)
Summary	Summary of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance	Resume or Activity log

There are many components in the IEP transition plan and HSBP that align. Many of the tasks are similar, but the documents are different. Transition plans are part of the IEP, which is a federal mandate. The HSBP is a state requirement. For students who receive special education services, both an IEP transition plan and HSBP must be in place.

Both the IEP and HSBP share components that include student assessments, goals, coursework, and summaries.

Using T-Folio to Align IEPs and HSBPs

T-Folio is a free transition portfolio tool developed for youth with disabilities in Washington state and the school and agency personnel who support them. Through a series of exercises and the support of a facilitator, students complete activities that emphasize their role as leaders in setting and achieving goals for the future. These activities can be used to support the development and alignment of the IEP and the HSBP.
Elements	IEP Transition Plan	HSBP	T-Folio
Requirement	Federal law	State graduation	N/A
Assessment	Age-Appropriation Transition Assessment	Career Interest Inventory	Strengths Assessment: Unit 1, Lesson 1 Career Clusters Interest Survey: Unit 1, Lesson 3 Challenges in the Classroom and Beyond: Unit 1, Lesson 4
Goals	Employment, Education, and Independent Living Postsecondary and Annual	Career and Educational	Postsecondary Goals Worksheet: Unit 2, Lesson 2
Course work	Course of Study	Academic Course Planner Graduation Pathway(s)	Course of Study Worksheet: Unit 2, Lesson 5 Action Plan for Employment and Education: Unit 2, Lesson 7
Summary	Summary of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance	Resume or Activity log	Writing a Resume: Unit 4, Lesson 2

Next: Example - Kaleb’s IEP and HSBP