IEP Transition Services in Indiana
When does IEP transition planning start in Indiana?
Indiana requires a Transition IEP (TIEP) — Indiana's distinct statutory term for an IEP that addresses transition — effective when a student enters 9th grade or the school year in which the student turns 14, whichever comes first (511 IAC 7-43-4). This is two years earlier than the federal IDEA minimum of age 16. 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 (Indiana's specific IEP component); a course of study aligned to those postsecondary goals; transition services and activities to help the student achieve the postsecondary goals; and annual goals supporting transition. The student must be invited to their own Case Conference Committee (CCC) meeting when transition is discussed; if the student does not attend, the CCC must take other steps to ensure the student's preferences and interests are considered (511 IAC 7-43-4). 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. Age of majority notification must appear in the TIEP beginning when the student is 17. Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services may be invited to participate as a potentially responsible agency for transition services. FAPE continues through the school year in which the student turns 22 (IC 20-35-1-7; 511 IAC 7-42-10).
What Indiana Requires
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 comes first — two years earlier than the federal minimum of age 16 (511 IAC 7-43-4).
The TIEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments in education/training, employment, and if appropriate, independent living (511 IAC 7-43-4).
Indiana's TIEP includes a Statement of Transition Service Needs — documenting the course of study and transition services needed to achieve postsecondary goals (511 IAC 7-43-4).
The student must be invited to the CCC meeting when transition is discussed; if absent, the CCC must ensure the student's preferences and interests are incorporated by other means (511 IAC 7-43-4).
Representatives from agencies likely responsible for transition services (such as Indiana VR) must be invited with parental consent to participate in the CCC meeting (511 IAC 7-43-4).
Beginning one year before the student turns 18, the TIEP must state that parental educational rights will transfer to the student at age 18 under Indiana law (511 IAC 7-43-5).
Key Timelines
Transition IEP (TIEP) must be in effect when the student enters 9th grade or turns 14, whichever comes first (511 IAC 7-43-4).
Age-of-majority notification must be included in the TIEP beginning not later than one year before the student turns 18 (i.e., beginning at age 17) (511 IAC 7-43-5).
Parental rights transfer to the student at age 18 unless a guardian or educational representative is appointed (511 IAC 7-43-5).
FAPE eligibility continues through the school year in which the student turns 22 (IC 20-35-1-7; 511 IAC 7-42-10).