IEP Transition Services in Kentucky
When does IEP transition planning start in Kentucky?
Kentucky requires transition planning beginning at 8th grade or when the student reaches age 14 — whichever comes first — which is earlier than the federal minimum of age 16 (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7). This is a meaningful Kentucky-specific requirement. At 8th grade/age 14, the IEP must include a statement of transition service needs focusing on the student's course of study, aligned with the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) required by 704 KAR 3:305. This statement must be updated annually. By age 16, the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills, as well as the transition services needed to achieve those goals (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7(2)). The student must be invited to any ARC meeting where transition is discussed; if the student does not attend, the LEA must take other steps to obtain the student's preferences and interests (34 CFR 300.321(b)). Other agencies likely responsible for providing or paying for transition services must be invited with parent consent. If a non-LEA agency fails to provide agreed transition services, the ARC must reconvene to identify alternatives; the participating agency is not relieved of responsibility (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7). Rights transfer at the age of majority (age 18 in Kentucky), and the IEP must document notification at least one year prior (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(14)). FAPE in Kentucky extends through age 21 for students who have not received a regular high school diploma (707 KAR 1:290, Section 1).
What Kentucky Requires
Beginning in the student's 8th grade year OR when the student reaches age 14 — whichever comes first — the IEP must include a statement of transition service needs focusing on the course of study (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7(1)).
The transition component must be aligned with the student's Individual Learning Plan (ILP) as required by 704 KAR 3:305 — a unique Kentucky requirement (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7(1)).
Beginning at age 16, the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments and transition services needed to reach those goals, including independent living skills where appropriate (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7(2)).
The student must be invited to ARC meetings discussing transition; if absent, the LEA must take other steps to obtain student preferences (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7; 34 CFR 300.321(b)).
Agencies likely responsible for providing transition services must be invited to participate with parent consent (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7).
If a non-LEA agency fails to provide agreed transition services, the ARC must reconvene to identify alternative ways to meet transition goals (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7).
The IEP must include a rights-transfer notification statement at least one year before the age of majority (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(14)).
Key Timelines
Transition service needs must be addressed beginning in 8th grade or age 14 — whichever comes first — and updated annually (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7(1)).
Postsecondary goals and transition services must be in the IEP beginning at age 16, updated annually (707 KAR 1:320, Section 7(2)).
Rights-transfer notification must occur at least one year before the age of majority (age 18) (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(14)).
FAPE eligibility ends at age 21 or upon receipt of a regular high school diploma, whichever occurs first (707 KAR 1:290, Section 1).