Transition Age Rights in Indiana
What are the transition age rights for IEP students in Indiana?
Indiana's transition age framework is one of the state's most distinctive features. A Transition IEP (TIEP) must be in effect when the student enters 9th grade or the school year in which the student turns 14, whichever occurs first — making Indiana one of the states with the earliest mandatory transition planning onset, two years earlier than the federal IDEA minimum of age 16 (511 IAC 7-43-4; 34 CFR 300.320(b)). The TIEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments in education/training, employment, and if appropriate, independent living; a Statement of Transition Service Needs documenting course of study and transition activities; and annual goals aligned to postsecondary goals. The student must be invited to all Case Conference Committee (CCC) meetings when transition is discussed; if absent, the CCC must ensure the student's preferences and interests are incorporated by other means. Beginning not later than one year before the student turns 18, the TIEP must include a statement that parental rights will transfer to the student at age 18 under 511 IAC 7-43-5. All parental educational rights transfer to the student at age 18 unless a guardian or educational representative is appointed. FAPE eligibility continues through the school year in which the student turns 22 — through the end of the school year in which the student becomes 22, not merely until the birthday itself (IC 20-35-1-7; 511 IAC 7-42-10).
What Indiana Requires
Transition IEP (TIEP) must be in effect at 9th grade entry or the school year the student turns 14, whichever is first — two years earlier than the federal minimum (511 IAC 7-43-4).
The TIEP must include measurable postsecondary goals in education/training, employment, and if appropriate, independent living, based on age-appropriate transition assessments (511 IAC 7-43-4).
Indiana's TIEP includes a Statement of Transition Service Needs documenting the course of study and transition services aligned to postsecondary goals (511 IAC 7-43-4).
The student must be invited to all CCC meetings addressing transition; if the student cannot attend, the CCC must incorporate the student's preferences and interests by other means (511 IAC 7-43-4).
Beginning one year before the student turns 18, the TIEP must include a statement that parental rights will transfer to the student at age 18 (511 IAC 7-43-5).
FAPE eligibility continues through the school year in which the student turns 22 — through the end of that school year, not merely until the birthday (IC 20-35-1-7; 511 IAC 7-42-10).
Key Timelines
Age 14 (or 9th grade entry, whichever is first): Transition IEP (TIEP) must be in effect (511 IAC 7-43-4).
Not later than age 17 (one year before age 18): TIEP must include age-of-majority rights-transfer notification (511 IAC 7-43-5).
Age 18: all parental educational rights transfer to the student unless a guardian or educational representative is appointed (511 IAC 7-43-5).
Through the school year in which the student turns 22: FAPE eligibility continues (IC 20-35-1-7; 511 IAC 7-42-10).