IEP Transition Services in Georgia
When does IEP transition planning start 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 an important Georgia-specific provision — while federal IDEA requires transition planning by age 16, Georgia ties the trigger to the earlier of ninth grade entry or age 16, which can result in transition planning beginning at age 14 or 15 for students who enter ninth grade early. The IEP must include: (1) appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills; and (2) the transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the student in reaching those goals (34 CFR §300.320(b)(1)-(2)). The student must be invited to attend IEP meetings when transition will be discussed, and if the student does not attend, the IEP Team must take other steps to ensure that the student's preferences and interests are considered (34 CFR §300.321(b)). When transition services are being discussed, the LEA must also invite representatives of any participating agency likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services, with the consent of the parent or student who has reached the age of majority (34 CFR §300.321(b)(3)). Georgia provides transition services through the age of 21 for eligible students (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-150). Georgia's transition planning must address postsecondary goals in the areas of education/training, employment, and independent living (when appropriate), and the IEP must be updated annually to reflect current transition needs and services. Georgia also has the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) and various community-based organizations that may provide pre-employment transition services and other supports to students with disabilities beginning at age 14.
What Georgia Requires
Transition planning must 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)).
The IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and independent living skills (34 CFR §300.320(b)(1)).
The IEP must include the transition services and courses of study needed to help the student reach postsecondary goals (34 CFR §300.320(b)(2)).
The student must be invited to attend IEP meetings where transition is discussed; if absent, the student's preferences and interests must still be considered (34 CFR §300.321(b)).
Representatives of participating agencies likely to provide or pay for transition services must be invited, with parent or adult student consent (34 CFR §300.321(b)(3)).
Georgia provides special education services through age 21 for eligible students with disabilities (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-150; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.02).
Postsecondary goals and transition services must be updated annually as part of the IEP review.
Key Timelines
Transition planning begins no later than entry into ninth grade or by age 16, whichever comes first (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.06).
Transition goals and services are updated annually as part of the IEP review (34 CFR §300.324(b)(1)).
Georgia provides special education and transition services through age 21 (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-150).
Summary of Performance must be provided upon graduation with a regular diploma or aging out of eligibility (34 CFR §300.305(e)(3)).