Transition Age Rights in Connecticut
What are the transition age rights for IEP students in Connecticut?
Connecticut's age-of-majority and transition age framework is governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d. Connecticut requires transition planning beginning at age 14 — earlier than the federal IDEA minimum of age 16. Transition services must be addressed beginning not later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 14 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d, effective July 1, 2021), or younger if the PPT determines it appropriate. Connecticut is notable for FAPE extending through the end of the school year in which a student turns age 22 — Public Act 23-137 extended eligibility beyond the prior age 21 limit (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(b)(1) as amended). At age 18, Connecticut's age of majority, all educational rights transfer to the student unless a conservator or guardian has been appointed under Connecticut's probate law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(a)(4); 34 CFR 300.520). The district must notify both the student and the parent of this transfer of rights at least one year before the student reaches age 18. For early intervention: Connecticut's Part C Birth-to-Three program (administered by the Connecticut Birth to Three System) must provide a transition conference 90 days before the child's third birthday, and the LEA must convene a PPT meeting to determine eligibility for Part B services before age 3 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-248). The student must be invited to PPT meetings when transition services are discussed (34 CFR 300.321(b)).
What Connecticut Requires
Transition services must be addressed beginning not later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 14 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d, effective July 1, 2021; the federal minimum under 34 CFR 300.320(b) is age 16).
At age 18 (Connecticut's age of majority), all educational rights transfer to the student unless a conservator or guardian is appointed; the district must notify both student and parent at least one year before (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(a)(4); 34 CFR 300.520).
FAPE eligibility extends through the end of the school year in which a student turns age 22 in Connecticut — Public Act 23-137 extended eligibility beyond age 21 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(b)(1) as amended by PA 23-137).
The student must be invited to all PPT meetings at which transition services will be discussed; if unable to attend, the district must obtain the student's input by other means (34 CFR 300.321(b)).
Connecticut's Part C Birth-to-Three program must provide a transition conference at least 90 days before the child's third birthday to plan the transition to Part B services (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-248).
When a student exits school before receiving a regular diploma, the district must provide a summary of academic achievement and functional performance with postsecondary recommendations (34 CFR 300.305(e)(3)).
Key Timelines
Age 14: transition services must be addressed in the IEP, updated annually (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d, effective July 1, 2021).
Age 17: district must notify both student and parent that rights will transfer at age 18 (34 CFR 300.520(a)(1)(ii)).
Age 18: educational rights transfer to student; IEP must document notice of transfer (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(a)(4)).
End of school year when student turns age 22: FAPE eligibility ends (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(b)(1) as amended by PA 23-137).
90 days before age 3: Part C Birth-to-Three must convene transition conference (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-248).
Before age 3: LEA must convene PPT to determine Part B eligibility and develop IEP if eligible.