IEP Transition Services in Michigan
When does IEP transition planning start in Michigan?
Michigan requires transition planning to begin no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team, consistent with federal IDEA requirements (34 CFR 300.320(b); R 340.1721e). Michigan does not have a state-specific earlier transition age requirement — the federal age 16 standard applies. At age 16, the IEP must include: appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments in education/training, employment, and (where appropriate) independent living skills; and transition services designed to help the student reach those goals. Age-appropriate transition assessments may include interest inventories, aptitude tests, career exploration activities, work samples, and community-based assessments. Michigan does not require independent living goals in every transition IEP — only 'where appropriate' (34 CFR 300.320(b)(2)). The student must be invited to any IEP meeting at which transition is discussed, and if the student does not attend, the district must take steps to ensure student preferences and interests are considered (34 CFR 300.321(b)). Michigan's Office of Special Education partners with the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) and Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) to provide pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) under Section 113 of the Rehabilitation Act. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services from MRS are available to students with disabilities, and IEP teams are encouraged to involve MRS representatives in transition planning. Rights transfer to the student at age 18 — parents retain involvement only through student consent after that point (34 CFR 300.520; R 340.1721h).
What Michigan Requires
Transition planning must begin no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16, or younger if the IEP team determines appropriate — Michigan follows the federal age 16 standard (34 CFR 300.320(b); R 340.1721e).
The IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments in education/training, employment, and (where appropriate) independent living (34 CFR 300.320(b)).
The student must be invited to every IEP meeting at which transition is discussed; if the student cannot attend, the district must take steps to ensure student interests and preferences are considered (34 CFR 300.321(b)).
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) provides Vocational Rehabilitation services — IEP teams should involve MRS and Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) in transition planning where appropriate.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) under Section 113 of the Rehabilitation Act are available to students with disabilities ages 14–21 through MRS — separate from but complementary to IEP transition services.
Rights transfer to the student at age 18 — parent procedural rights transfer unless the student has been determined incompetent or the student executes a power of attorney (34 CFR 300.520; R 340.1721h).
Key Timelines
Transition planning must begin no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16 (34 CFR 300.320(b); R 340.1721e).
Age 16: IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals and coordinated transition services.
Age 18: parental rights transfer to the student; the district must notify both parent and student of this transfer at least one year before it occurs (34 CFR 300.520; R 340.1721h).
FAPE continues through age 25 (as of September 1) if the student has not graduated — transition planning and services continue through this extended age (R 340.1702; MCL 380.1701(1)).
Annual IEP review must update postsecondary goals and transition services based on updated transition assessments and progress (34 CFR 300.324(b)).