IEP Transition Services in Wisconsin
When does IEP transition planning start in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires transition planning to begin when a student turns 14 — two years earlier than the federal minimum of 16 — under Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(g) and Wis. Admin. Code PI 11.09(2)(d). Beginning with the IEP in effect when the child turns 14, the IEP must include: (1) appropriate, measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and where appropriate independent living skills; (2) transition services, including a course of study, needed to assist the child in reaching those goals; and (3) beginning one year before age 18, an annual statement that the student has been informed of the rights that will transfer upon reaching majority age. Wisconsin provides transition readiness grants to districts under Wis. Stat. §§ 115.884 and 115.885 for students who successfully transition to higher education, postsecondary training, or competitive employment. The term 'Individualized Transition Plan' (ITP) is sometimes used in Wisconsin DPI guidance materials to refer to the transition component of the IEP, though the official document remains the IEP. FAPE continues until the student graduates with a regular diploma or reaches age 21 (Wis. Stat. § 115.76(5)(a)).
What Wisconsin Requires
Transition planning must begin in Wisconsin when the child turns 14 — two years earlier than the federal minimum of 16 (Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(g); Wis. Admin. Code PI 11.09(2)(d)).
The IEP at age 14 must include measurable postsecondary goals for training, education, employment, and (where appropriate) independent living, based on age-appropriate transition assessments (Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(g)(1)).
Transition services, including a course of study, must be described in the IEP to support postsecondary goal attainment (Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(g)(2)).
Beginning one year before age 18, the IEP must annually document that the student has been informed of the rights that will transfer at majority age (Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(g)(3)).
Agency representatives with potential transition service responsibilities (e.g., DVR, DHS) must be invited to transition IEP meetings when appropriate (34 CFR 300.321(b)).
Wisconsin provides transition readiness grants to districts under Wis. Stat. §§ 115.884 and 115.885 when students successfully transition to higher education, postsecondary training, or competitive employment within one year of exit.
Key Timelines
Age 14: transition planning begins with measurable postsecondary goals and transition services (Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(g); PI 11.09(2)(d)) — two years earlier than the federal age-16 minimum.
Age 17 (one year before 18): IEP must include annual statement that student has been informed of rights transfer (Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(g)(3)).
Age 18: educational rights transfer to the student unless a guardian is appointed (Wis. Stat. § 115.787(2)(g)(3); 34 CFR 300.520).
Age 21: FAPE eligibility ends for students who have not graduated with a regular diploma (Wis. Stat. § 115.76(5)(a)).