IEP Transition Services in California
When does IEP transition planning start in California?
California transition planning is governed by EC 56345(a)(8) and EC 56460-56462, along with the federal requirements of 34 CFR 300.320(b). In a significant change, AB 438 (2024, effective July 1, 2025) amended EC 56345(a)(8) to allow IEP teams to begin transition planning when the student starts their 'high school experience,' if determined appropriate, or no later than age 16—replacing the previous age-16-only trigger. This aligns California with other states that begin transition earlier. The IEP must include an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) with: (1) appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills; (2) the transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist the child in reaching those goals; and (3) beginning not later than one year before the student reaches age 18, a statement that the student has been informed of rights that will transfer at age 18. California requires involvement of the student in transition planning, and agencies likely to provide or pay for transition services must be invited to the IEP meeting with parental consent (EC 56341(b)(5); 34 CFR 300.321(b)). EC 56460 establishes the legislative framework for transition services designed to facilitate movement from school to post-school activities. California's Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), Regional Centers, and local agencies coordinate with schools on transition services. EC 56462 provides the statutory basis for interagency coordination for students approaching exit from special education.
What California Requires
If determined appropriate by the IEP team, beginning with the first IEP in effect when the student enters their high school experience, or not later than age 16, the IEP must include an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) with measurable postsecondary goals in education/training, employment, and where appropriate, independent living (EC 56345(a)(8), as amended by AB 438, effective July 1, 2025).
Postsecondary goals must be based on age-appropriate transition assessments (34 CFR 300.320(b)(1)).
The ITP must include transition services and courses of study needed to assist the student in reaching postsecondary goals (EC 56345(a)(8); 34 CFR 300.320(b)(2)).
The student must be invited to attend any IEP meeting where transition will be discussed, and if the student does not attend, the IEP team must ensure the student's preferences and interests are considered (34 CFR 300.321(b)(1)).
With parental consent, agencies likely to provide or pay for transition services must be invited to the IEP meeting (EC 56341(b)(5); 34 CFR 300.321(b)(3)).
Beginning at least one year before the student turns 18, the IEP must include a statement that the student has been informed of the IDEA rights that will transfer at age of majority (34 CFR 300.320(c)).
EC 56460-56462 establishes the legislative framework for interagency coordination of transition services, including coordination with the Department of Rehabilitation, Regional Centers, and other post-school service providers.
Key Timelines
Transition planning (ITP), if determined appropriate by the IEP team, begins when the student starts their high school experience, or no later than age 16 (EC 56345(a)(8), AB 438 effective July 1, 2025).
At least one year before the student turns 18, the IEP must include a statement about transfer of rights at age of majority (34 CFR 300.320(c)).
Transition services must be reviewed annually as part of the IEP review and updated based on progress toward postsecondary goals (EC 56343(d)).
Agencies providing transition services must participate in IEP meetings when invited (with parental consent) and follow through on agreed-upon services (34 CFR 300.321(b)(3)).
Students are eligible for special education through age 22 (until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22, or until receiving a regular high school diploma, whichever comes first), and transition planning should address the full continuum through exit (EC 56026(b)).