IEP Transition Services in Hawaii
When does IEP transition planning start in Hawaii?
Hawaii requires transition services to be addressed in the IEP beginning no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16, consistent with federal IDEA requirements (HAR § 8-56-28(b)(8); 34 CFR 300.320(b)). Hawaii does not require transition planning to begin earlier than age 16 as a blanket statewide rule, though IEP teams may elect to begin earlier when appropriate. Transition services must include coordinated activities designed to facilitate movement from school to post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation. The IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on transition assessments in training, education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills. HIDOE has a Post-Secondary Outcomes program and participates in the State Indicator 13 (transition requirements) and Indicator 14 (post-school outcomes) data reporting to OSEP. Students with disabilities are eligible for FAPE in Hawaii through age 20 (and through the end of the school year in which the student turns 20), unless the student graduates with a regular diploma first. Rights transfer to the student at age 18.
What Hawaii Requires
Beginning no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16, the IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments (HAR § 8-56-28(b)(8); 34 CFR 300.320(b)(1)).
The IEP must include transition services needed to assist the student in reaching postsecondary goals, including instruction, related services, community experiences, employment and adult daily living objectives, and acquisition of functional vocational evaluation (HAR § 8-56-28(b)(8); 34 CFR 300.320(b)(2)).
The student must be invited to any IEP meeting where transition services will be discussed; if the student does not attend, the district must take other steps to ensure the student's preferences and interests are considered (34 CFR 300.321(b); HAR § 8-56-28).
Agency representatives likely to provide or pay for transition services may be invited to participate in the IEP meeting with parental consent (34 CFR 300.321(b)(3); HAR § 8-56-28).
At age 18, the IEP must document that the student and the parents have been informed that educational rights transfer to the student upon reaching age 18 (HAR § 8-56-28(b)(9); 34 CFR 300.320(c)).
HIDOE's statewide single-district structure means transition partnerships with community agencies, vocational rehabilitation (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DVR), and adult services are coordinated centrally through HIDOE (HRS § 302A-101).
Key Timelines
Transition services must be addressed in the IEP beginning no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16, updated annually (HAR § 8-56-28(b)(8); 34 CFR 300.320(b)).
Age 18: educational rights transfer to the student; IEP must document prior notice of rights transfer (HAR § 8-56-28(b)(9); 34 CFR 300.320(c)).
FAPE eligibility in Hawaii ends at age 20 or upon graduation with a regular high school diploma, whichever comes first (HRS § 302H-1).
Early intervention to preschool transition conference must be convened at least 90 days before the child's third birthday (HAR § 8-56-53; 34 CFR 300.124).