IDEA '97 Transition Requirements: A Guide

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The following checklist corresponds to specific sections of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA ‘97) and the final regulations related to the transition requirements that were issued in the Federal Register on March 12, 1999. The checklist may be used by public agencies to help align their practices with the transition requirements of the IDEA ‘97.

Transition Services Participants (34 CFR §300.344)

 When a purpose of the IEP meeting is the consideration of transition services:

1.	Yes	No	Did the public agency invite the student?
2.	Yes N/A	No	If the student did not attend the IEP meeting, did the public agency take steps to ensure that the student's preferences and interests were considered in the development of the IEP? (If the student attended the meeting, indicate N/A [Not Applicable.])
3.	Yes	No	Did the public agency invite a representative of any other agency that is likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services?
4.	Yes N/A	No	If an agency was invited to send a representative to a meeting and did not do so, did the public agency take other steps to obtain his or her participation in the planning of transition services? (If the agency attended the meeting, indicate N/A [Not Applicable].)

Parent notice (34 CFR §300.345)

Does the parent (and student, if rights have been transferred) notice:

1.	Yes	No	Indicate, for a student beginning at age 14 (or younger, if appropriate), that a purpose of the meeting will be the development of a statement of transition service needs?
2.	Yes	No	Indicate, for a student beginning at age 16 (or younger, if appropriate), that a purpose of the meeting is the consideration of needed transition services?
3.	Yes	No	Indicate that the public agency will invite the student beginning at age 14 (or younger, if appropriate)?
4.	Yes	No	Identify any other agency that will be invited to send a representative?
5.	Yes	No	Indicate the time and location of the meeting and who will be in attendance?
6.	Yes	No	Inform the parents that they may invite other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding their child, including related services personnel, as appropriate?

Exception to FAPE and Prior Written Notice (34 CFR §300.122(a)(3)(i, ii,iii) & §300.503)

If the student will graduate with a regular* high school diploma, does the IEP team provide the parent(s) (and student, if rights have been transferred) with:

1.

Yes

No

Prior written notice (in accordance with 34 CFR §300.503) that graduation from high school with a regular diploma constitutes a change in placement and that the high school student is no longer entitled to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE)? (NOTE: A state may choose to continue to provide FAPE. Check with your state for requirements that may go beyond Federal requirements.)

* does not apply to students who have graduated but have not been awarded a regular high school diploma.

Content of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) (34 CFR §300.347)

If the student is 14 (or younger, if appropriate), does the IEP include:

1.	Yes	No	A statement of current performance related to transition service needs?
2.	Yes	No	A statement of transition service needs that specifies courses of study that will be meaningful to the student’s future and motivate the student to complete his or her education?

If the student is 16 (or younger, if appropriate), does the IEP include:

1.	Yes	No	A statement of needed transition services that is a coordinated set of activities and considers:
	Yes	No	a. Instruction?
	Yes	No	b. Related services?
	Yes	No	c. Community experiences?
	Yes	No	d. Development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives?
	Yes	No	e. If appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills?
	Yes	No	f. If appropriate, a functional vocational evaluation?
2.	Yes	No	The activities in the statement of needed transition services are presented as a coordinated set of activities that promotes movement from school to desired post-school activities?
3.	Yes	No	A statement of needed transition services that addresses one or more of the following post-school activities:  [ ] Post-secondary education? [ ] Vocational training? [ ] Integrated employment (including supported employment)? [ ] Continuing and adult education? [ ] Adult services? [ ] Independent living? [ ] Community participation?
4.	Yes	No	A coordinated set of activities that is based on the individual student's needs, taking into account the student’s preferences and interests?
5.	Yes	No	A statement, if appropriate, of the interagency responsibilities or any needed linkages (i.e., linkages to agencies or services the student needs)?
6.	Yes	No	Has the statement of transition service needs and statement of needed transition services been reviewed at least annually?
7.	Yes	No	A statement, in a State that transfers rights at the age of majority, at least one year before the student reaches the age of majority under state law, that the student has been informed of the rights under Part B of the Act, if any, that will transfer to him or her when he or she reaches the age of majority?

Transfer of Rights (34 CFR §300.517, §300.347(c))

1.

Yes

No

In a State that transfers rights at the age of majority, when the student reached the age of majority, did the public agency notify both the student and the parent that all rights under Part B transferred to the student? (Note: in a State that transfers rights at the age of majority, the public agency shall provide any notice required by the regulations to both the individual and the parents.)

Agency responsibilities for transition services (34 CFR §300.348)

1.

Yes N/A

No

If a participating agency failed to provide agreed-upon transition services contained in the IEP, did the public agency responsible for the student's education reconvene the IEP team to identify alternative strategies to meet the transition objectives for the student set out in the IEP? (If the agency provided services, indicate N/A [Not Applicable].)

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