IEP Transition Services in South Dakota
When does IEP transition planning start in South Dakota?
South Dakota requires transition planning beginning no later than the first IEP in effect when a student turns 16, consistent with ARSD 24:05:27:01.03 and 34 CFR 300.320(b). The IEP team may begin transition planning earlier if appropriate. Transition services must be based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills. The IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals (MPSGs) addressing education/training, employment, and independent living (when appropriate), plus the transition services needed to help the student reach those goals. At minimum, OSEP guidance requires at least one annual goal linked to each MPSG and at least one transition service or activity for each MPSG. The student must be invited to any IEP meeting where transition is discussed (ARSD 24:05:27:01.03). Agency representatives may also be invited with parent consent. Beginning no later than one year before the student reaches the age of majority (18 in South Dakota), the IEP must include a statement that the student has been informed of the rights that will transfer to the student upon reaching majority (ARSD 24:05:30:16.01). South Dakota uses SDMyLife (sdmylife.com) as a statewide transition planning platform, and the South Dakota Department of Education's high school transition program provides resources for coordinating post-school outcomes. Rights transfer to the student at age 18; if the student cannot provide informed consent, the district appoints the parent or another appropriate individual to represent the student's educational interests.
What South Dakota Requires
Transition planning must begin no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16, and may begin earlier if the IEP team determines it appropriate (ARSD 24:05:27:01.03; 34 CFR 300.320(b)).
The IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments covering training/education, employment, and independent living (when appropriate) (ARSD 24:05:27:01.03; 34 CFR 300.320(b)(1)).
The IEP must include the transition services needed to help the student reach each postsecondary goal, with at least one linked annual goal and one service/activity per MPSG per OSEP guidance.
The student must be invited to the IEP meeting when transition is being discussed; if the student does not attend, the district must document steps taken to ensure student preferences and interests were considered (34 CFR 300.321(b)).
Beginning no later than one year before age of majority, the IEP must state that the student has been informed of the rights that will transfer at age 18 (ARSD 24:05:30:16.01; 34 CFR 300.320(c)).
Interagency responsibilities or linkages needed to support post-school goals must be identified in the IEP, with agency representatives invited when appropriate (34 CFR 300.324(c)).
Key Timelines
Transition planning must begin no later than the IEP in effect when the student turns 16 (ARSD 24:05:27:01.03; 34 CFR 300.320(b)).
No later than one year before the student's 18th birthday, the IEP must include notification that IDEA rights will transfer to the student at age 18 (ARSD 24:05:30:16.01).
Postsecondary goals and transition services must be updated annually as part of the IEP review (34 CFR 300.324).
Transition services from outside agencies must be coordinated in time to be in place when the student exits school, with agency commitments documented in the IEP (34 CFR 300.324(c)).