IEP Transition Services in Ohio

When does IEP transition planning start in Ohio?

Ohio follows the federal IDEA standard for transition planning. Under ORC §3323.011(H) and OAC §3301-51-07(E)(2), transition services must be included in the IEP beginning no later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16 — the federal requirement under 34 CFR 300.320(b). Ohio does not require transition planning to begin at an earlier age than the federal standard; the IEP team may choose to begin earlier if appropriate, but the state mandate is age 16. The transition component of the IEP must include: (a) appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, and, where supported by assessment data, independent living skills (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(2)(a)); (b) appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to competitive integrated employment (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(2)(b)); (c) the transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist the child in reaching those postsecondary goals (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(2)(c)); and (d) a transition progress report provided to parents at least as often as report cards are issued, describing progress toward completion of transition services (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(2)(d)). Ohio defines transition services in ORC §3323.01(O) as a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability, designed within a results-oriented process focused on improving academic and functional achievement to facilitate movement from school to post-school activities including postsecondary education, vocational education, and integrated employment. The school district must invite the student to attend the IEP meeting when transition planning is being discussed. If the student does not attend, the district must take other steps to ensure the student's preferences and interests are considered (OAC §3301-51-07; 34 CFR 300.321(b)). With parental consent or the consent of the student who has reached the age of majority, the district must also invite representatives of any agency likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services (34 CFR 300.321(b)(3)). Ohio law requires that by the student's seventeenth birthday — not later than one year before the child reaches the age of majority (18 in Ohio) — the IEP must include a statement that the child has been informed of the rights under Part B of IDEA that will transfer to the child upon reaching 18 (ORC §3323.011(I); OAC §3301-51-07(E)(3); 34 CFR 300.320(c)). Ohio's Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), coordinated through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), provide additional support for students ages 14–21 with disabilities, including job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, counseling on postsecondary enrollment, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy instruction — these Pre-ETS supports may begin before age 16 as a vocational rehabilitation service even though the IEP transition mandate begins at 16. OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence) provides guidance on aligning postsecondary goals with annual IEP goals to ensure transition planning is integrated throughout the IEP. Ohio provides FAPE to eligible students through age 21 (ORC §3323.01(A); ORC §3323.02).