Essentials of Transition Planning

DiAnne B. Davidsen, M.Ed., received her master of education degree in special education from The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, and is currently in her final year of doctoral studies in urban services leadership/ special education at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Since 1970, Ms. Davidsen has taught students in prekindergarten through high school in public school settings from all disability categories and in all service delivery models. She has been Transition Specialist for a school district in Virginia and one of the founders of the Peninsula Transition Forum as well as Director of Special Education for a school district in Arizona establishing Teacher/Parent/Student Transition Information Nights to prepare families of children and youth with disabilities for transition issues at all levels. Ms. Davidsen is currently an assistant professor at VCU in the Department of Special Education and Disability Policy in the School of Education. Beyond transition and curriculum development, instruction in characteristics and methods classes, and supervision of student teachers, her areas of interest are in preparing students for success at the post secondary education level and in working with individuals from diverse populations. She has published on post secondary education transition and has presented at local, state, national, and international conferences on transition, use of assistive technology, collaboration, and inclusion.