IEP Transition Services in Arizona
When does IEP transition planning start in Arizona?
Arizona follows the federal IDEA baseline for transition services. Beginning no later than the IEP in effect when the pupil turns 16, the IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments in the areas of training, education, employment, and (where appropriate) independent living skills, and the transition services — including courses of study — needed to reach those goals (34 CFR 300.320(b); A.A.C. R7-2-401(D)(4)). Arizona does not require transition planning to begin earlier than age 16; the federal standard applies. The student must be invited to any IEP meeting at which transition is discussed; if the student cannot attend, the district must use other methods to obtain the student's preferences and interests (34 CFR 300.321(b)). A critical Arizona-specific rule: under A.R.S. § 15-773, all parental educational rights transfer automatically to the student at age 18, absent a court finding of legal incompetency. Students 18–21 retaining decision-making capacity may voluntarily delegate educational decision-making authority back to a parent through a notarized written document (A.R.S. § 15-773(B)). The IEP must include a statement, beginning at least one year before the student's 18th birthday, that the student was informed of the rights that will transfer (34 CFR 300.320(c)). FAPE continues through age 21 — through the end of the school year in which the pupil turns 22 — for students who have not graduated with a regular diploma (A.R.S. § 15-764(B)).
What Arizona Requires
Beginning no later than the IEP in effect when the pupil turns 16, the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals (training, education, employment, and where appropriate independent living) and the transition services to reach those goals (34 CFR 300.320(b); A.A.C. R7-2-401(D)(4)).
Arizona does not require transition planning before age 16; the federal age-16 standard applies.
The student must be invited to IEP meetings at which transition services are discussed; if the student cannot attend, the district must use other means to obtain the student's preferences and interests (34 CFR 300.321(b)).
All parental educational rights transfer automatically to the student at age 18, absent a court finding of legal incompetency (A.R.S. § 15-773(A)).
Beginning at least one year before the student turns 18, the IEP must include a statement that the student was informed of the rights transfer (34 CFR 300.320(c); A.R.S. § 15-773).
Students 18–21 retaining decision-making capacity may voluntarily delegate educational decision-making back to a parent via a notarized document (A.R.S. § 15-773(B)).
Key Timelines
Transition services in the IEP must begin no later than when the pupil turns 16; Arizona follows the federal baseline (34 CFR 300.320(b)).
The IEP must notify the student of the rights transfer at least one year before the student's 18th birthday (34 CFR 300.320(c)).
All parental rights transfer automatically at the student's 18th birthday absent legal incompetency (A.R.S. § 15-773(A)).
FAPE continues through the end of the school year in which the pupil turns 22 for students who have not graduated with a regular diploma (A.R.S. § 15-764(B)).