Transition Age Rights in Wyoming
What are the transition age rights for IEP students in Wyoming?
Wyoming's transition age framework follows the federal IDEA 2004 baseline. Transition services must be included in the IEP beginning no later than age 16 (WY Rules Ch. 7 § 8; 34 CFR 300.320(b)). IEP teams may begin transition planning earlier when the team determines it is appropriate — Wyoming does not prohibit earlier transition planning. At age 18, all educational rights transfer from the parents to the student unless a legal guardian has been appointed under Wyoming guardianship law (34 CFR 300.520; Wyo. Stat. § 3-2-101 et seq.). The IEP must document that the student has been informed of the transfer of rights before they turn 18. FAPE is available through age 21 in Wyoming (Wyo. Stat. § 21-3-101). Children in Part C (Wyoming Early Intervention Program — WEIP) must have a transition conference convened 90 days to 9 months before their third birthday to transition to Part B services (34 CFR 303.209).
What Wyoming Requires
Transition services must begin no later than age 16 in Wyoming, consistent with the federal IDEA 2004 baseline — earlier if the IEP team determines appropriate (WY Rules Ch. 7 § 8; 34 CFR 300.320(b)(1)).
The IEP must document that the student has been informed of the transfer of educational rights before they turn 18 (34 CFR 300.325; WY Rules Ch. 7 § 13).
At age 18, all educational decision-making rights transfer to the student unless a legal guardian has been appointed under Wyoming's Guardianship Act (Wyo. Stat. § 3-2-101; 34 CFR 300.520).
FAPE in Wyoming is available through age 21; FAPE obligations end when the student turns 22 or graduates with a regular high school diploma, whichever comes first (Wyo. Stat. § 21-3-101).
Early intervention (WEIP/Part C) children must have a transition conference 90 days to 9 months before age 3 to plan the transition to Part B preschool special education services (34 CFR 303.209).
Students with disabilities who will not graduate with a regular diploma must receive a summary of performance documenting academic achievement and functional performance with recommendations for postsecondary goals (34 CFR 300.305(e)(3)).
Key Timelines
Age 16: transition planning must begin (or earlier if appropriate) (WY Rules Ch. 7 § 8; 34 CFR 300.320(b)).
Age 18: educational rights transfer to student; IEP must document prior notice to student (34 CFR 300.325).
Age 21: FAPE eligibility ends in Wyoming (Wyo. Stat. § 21-3-101).
90 days to 9 months before age 3: transition conference from Part C (WEIP) to Part B must be held (34 CFR 303.209).
Age 3: Part B preschool special education services begin for eligible children (WY Rules Ch. 7 § 2).