District Office of Transition Services (DOTS)

My names is Mr. Ponce and I am the Transition Teacher assigned to Huntington Park High School. This is my ninth year at Huntington Park High School, but I've been teaching for 21 years. I graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School which is part of LAUSD located in Highland Park. I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and teaching credential at California State University Los Angeles. My Education Specialist Credential is in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. 

DOTS stands for the District Office of Transition Services and is a part of the Division of Special Education. 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 teachers serve District high schools and middle schools. At the middle school level, the teachers facilitate transition assessments to 13 year old students to assist them in identifying their strengths and interests and facilitate lessons on career awareness and the transition to high school. At the high school level, transition teachers support ITP compliance, provide transition instruction and assessment, make connections or referrals to outside agencies, assist students with post-secondary planning, and run supported work programs amongst other duties. Transition teachers also facilitate job development, placement and follow up services for student workers in the supported work programs: CA Workability 1 and Department of Rehabilitation's Transition Partnership Program (TPP).

According to IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), transition services means a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that is designed within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation. Transition services is based on the individual student’s needs, taking into account the student’s preferences and interests; and includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

More information on programs and services managed by DOTS can be found on our website.
Additionally, see our "Frequently Asked Questions" page.

I expect students to attend their classes, be on time, prepared to do work, share their ideas, be respectful, and participate in group discussions.

Students are responsible for checking their assignments on DOTS Schoology course on a regular basis.