In July 2002, the Division of Special Education (DSE) established the District Office of Transition Services (DOTS), formerly called Career and Transition Services (CATS). The responsibility of DOTS is to coordinate the planning and delivery of transition services for all students with disabilities, beginning at age 14 (or younger, if appropriate) to prepare them for transition from school to adult living.

Transition services focuses attention on how each student’s educational program, beginning at age 14 (or younger if determined by the IEP team), can be planned to help the student meet his/her goals for a successful transition to adult living. The IEP/ITP (Individual Transition Plan) meeting serves as a communication and planning time for parents, students, appropriate community agency representatives, and LAUSD staff. It enables them, as equal participants, to make joint, informed decisions regarding the student’s transition needs, appropriate goals and objectives, educational program supports and placement, and the participation of the community agency representatives, if appropriate.