Transition Age Rights in Georgia
What are the transition age rights for IEP students in Georgia?
Georgia requires transition planning to begin no later than entry into ninth grade or by age 16, whichever comes first, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.06; 34 CFR §300.320(b)). This is a notable Georgia-specific provision that can result in transition planning beginning earlier than the federal default of age 16, since some students enter ninth grade at age 14 or 15. The transition planning process in Georgia addresses postsecondary goals in three areas: (1) education and/or training after high school; (2) employment; and (3) independent living skills, where appropriate. These goals must be measurable and based on age-appropriate transition assessments (34 CFR §300.320(b)(1)). The IEP must include the transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the student in reaching those postsecondary goals (34 CFR §300.320(b)(2)). Georgia provides special education services through age 21 for eligible students with disabilities who have not yet received a regular high school diploma (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-150; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.02). The student must be invited to attend IEP meetings where transition will be discussed; if the student does not attend, the IEP Team must ensure the student's preferences and interests are considered (34 CFR §300.321(b)). When transition services are discussed, the LEA must also invite, with parental or adult student consent, representatives of participating agencies likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services. Georgia has the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), which provides pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities beginning at age 14, including job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, counseling on postsecondary education, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy instruction. The IEP Team should coordinate with GVRA and other community agencies to ensure a smooth transition. Upon graduation with a regular diploma or aging out of eligibility, the LEA must provide a Summary of Performance that includes the student's academic achievement, functional performance, and recommendations to assist in meeting postsecondary goals (34 CFR §300.305(e)(3)).
What Georgia Requires
Transition planning begins by entry into ninth grade or age 16, whichever comes first, or younger if determined appropriate (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.06; 34 CFR §300.320(b)).
Postsecondary goals must be measurable and address education/training, employment, and independent living (when appropriate) based on age-appropriate transition assessments (34 CFR §300.320(b)(1)).
The IEP must include transition services and courses of study to help reach postsecondary goals (34 CFR §300.320(b)(2)).
The student must be invited to IEP meetings discussing transition; preferences and interests considered even if absent (34 CFR §300.321(b)).
Representatives of participating agencies must be invited with consent when transition services are discussed (34 CFR §300.321(b)(3)).
Georgia provides FAPE through age 21 for eligible students who have not received a regular high school diploma (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-150).
GVRA provides pre-employment transition services beginning at age 14, including job exploration, work-based learning, and self-advocacy instruction.
Summary of Performance required upon graduation or aging out, including academic achievement, functional performance, and recommendations (34 CFR §300.305(e)(3)).
Key Timelines
By entry into ninth grade or age 16, whichever comes first: transition planning begins (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.06).
Annually: postsecondary goals and transition services updated as part of IEP review (34 CFR §300.324(b)(1)).
Age 14: pre-employment transition services may begin through GVRA.
Age 18: rights transfer to the student at age of majority in Georgia.
Through age 21: Georgia provides FAPE for eligible students without a regular diploma (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-150).
Upon graduation or aging out: Summary of Performance provided (34 CFR §300.305(e)(3)).