IEP Transition Services in Texas
When does IEP transition planning start in Texas?
Texas requires transition planning to begin earlier than the federal default. Under TEC §29.0111, appropriate state transition planning must begin for a student not later than when the student reaches 14 years of age, compared to the federal requirement of 16 under 34 CFR §300.320(b). Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the student turns 14 years of age, or younger if determined appropriate by the ARD committee, the IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills (19 TAC §89.1055; 34 CFR §300.320(b)(1)). The IEP must also include the transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist the student in reaching those postsecondary goals (34 CFR §300.320(b)(2)). Transition services are defined as a coordinated set of activities designed to facilitate the student's movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation (34 CFR §300.43). The ARD committee must consider and address appropriate student involvement in the transition process, parental involvement, postsecondary education options including preparation for postsecondary-level coursework, appropriate employment goals and objectives, and, if appropriate, a functional vocational evaluation (TEC §29.011). The student must be invited to the ARD meeting when transition services will be discussed; if the student does not attend, the district must take steps to ensure the student's preferences and interests are considered (34 CFR §300.321(b)). At age 18, the transfer of rights to the adult student occurs, and the ARD committee must address adult student involvement in transition planning and age-appropriate instructional environments. Each school district must designate at least one employee as a transition and employment designee and must post the Texas Transition and Employment Guide on its website (TEC §29.011). For graduation, a student receiving special education services who successfully completes the requirements of the IEP, including any required state assessment performance, shall receive a Texas high school diploma (19 TAC §89.1070). The ARD committee may determine that satisfactory performance on end-of-course assessment instruments is not required for graduation. Students may also graduate by completing IEP requirements and meeting one of several employment or transition-related conditions, including full-time employment, mastery of employability and self-help skills, or accessing services beyond public education responsibility (19 TAC §89.1070(b)). Before a student exits public school through graduation or aging out, the district must provide a Summary of Performance (SOP) that includes a summary of academic achievement and functional performance with recommendations for meeting postsecondary goals (34 CFR §300.305(e)(3)). Texas also requires that students with disabilities age 16 and older and their parents receive information about the Texas Driving with Disability Program annually until high school graduation or the student's 21st birthday (TEC §29.0113).
What Texas Requires
Transition planning must begin not later than when the student reaches 14 years of age in Texas, earlier than the federal default of 16 (TEC §29.0111; 19 TAC §89.1055)
The IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills (34 CFR §300.320(b)(1))
The IEP must include transition services and courses of study needed to assist the student in reaching postsecondary goals (34 CFR §300.320(b)(2))
The student must be invited to the ARD meeting when transition is discussed; if absent, the district must ensure the student's preferences and interests are considered (34 CFR §300.321(b))
Each district must designate at least one employee as transition and employment designee and post the Texas Transition and Employment Guide on its website (TEC §29.011)
Before exiting public school, the district must provide a Summary of Performance (SOP) including academic achievement, functional performance, and recommendations for postsecondary goals (34 CFR §300.305(e)(3))
A student who completes IEP requirements, meets any required assessment performance criteria, and fulfills applicable employment or transition conditions receives a Texas high school diploma; the ARD committee may recommend waiver of end-of-course assessment requirements (19 TAC §89.1070; TEC §28.0258)
Key Timelines
Transition planning must begin not later than when the student reaches 14 years of age (TEC §29.0111)
Measurable postsecondary goals must be included beginning not later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 14, updated annually thereafter (19 TAC §89.1055; 34 CFR §300.320(b))
Transfer of rights to the adult student occurs at age 18, at which point the ARD committee must address adult student involvement (TEC §29.017)
Texas Driving with Disability Program information must be provided annually to students age 16 and older and their parents until graduation or the student's 21st birthday (TEC §29.0113)
Students who have not met diploma requirements by age 21 (on September 1 of the school year) are no longer eligible for public education services and receive a certificate of attendance (19 TAC §89.1070)