Parents often say that nobody gave them a calendar. Each part of transition planning seems to come from a different office, with a different deadline, and none of them mention the others. This timeline puts the main steps in one place.
It is built from federal rules, agency pages, and professional resources, and each row says where its steps come from. It is general information, not legal advice. States change ages and forms, so treat this as a map and confirm the details where you live.
The whole road at a glance
| Age | School and IEP | Family | Agencies and benefits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 to 15 | Many states start transition planning here. The team may begin earlier than the federal age if it finds it appropriate | Talk with the student about interests. Ask the team about starting | Health care: ask the practice about its transition policy | Federal rule, state rules, Got Transition |
| 15 to 16 | Assessments begin. Courses of study are chosen | Share what you see at home. Start a records folder | Pre-employment transition services may begin, depending on the state's age floor | 34 CFR 300.320(b), 34 CFR 361.5 |
| 16 | The first IEP in effect when the student turns 16, at the latest, must include measurable postsecondary goals and transition services | Check the goals. Make sure the student is invited | Contact the state VR agency, and, if the student receives SSI, read SSA's advice | 34 CFR 300.320(b), SSA Youth page |
| 16 to 17 | Annual update of goals and services. Work experience and community instruction begin | Ask about agencies and waiting lists | Start college or training applications before any SSI review | 34 CFR 300.320(b), SSA Youth page |
| 17, one year before the age of majority | The IEP must include a statement that the student has been told about rights that will transfer | Talk about decision-making. Learn about supports | Health care: readiness and planning | 34 CFR 300.320(c), Got Transition |
| 18, the age of majority in most states | In states that transfer rights, the student holds them and the school notifies both student and parents | Decide with the student how the family stays involved | SSA's age-18 redetermination for SSI recipients. Health care transfer begins | 34 CFR 300.520, SSA, Got Transition |
| 18 to 21 or 22 | Services continue under the IEP until graduation with a regular diploma or the state's age limit | Keep the records folder current. Confirm services after 18 | Connect with adult agencies. Waiver waiting lists may apply | 34 CFR 300.102, state rules |
| Exit | The school gives a summary of performance at graduation with a regular diploma or aging out | Gather the evaluation, IEP, and summary | Register with a college disability office if relevant | 34 CFR 300.305(e) |
Ages 14 to 16: start the conversation
The federal rule sets 16 as the latest age. Many states set an earlier one, and the rule lets the team start sooner if it finds that appropriate. See when transition planning starts.
What to do:
- Ask the student what they like and what they want to try. Write it down.
- Ask the team whether a career interest survey or other assessment can start now. See age-appropriate transition assessments.
- Ask what classes would test an interest.
- For health care, Got Transition's framework puts a transition policy discussion at 12 to 14 and readiness work at 14 to 18. See health care transition checklist.
Age 16: goals on paper
Section 300.320(b) requires measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments, and the transition services, including courses of study, needed to reach them, in the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16 at the latest, and updated every year. See postsecondary goals examples and transition goals: a five-question test.
- The student must be invited to the meeting. See student voice in transition meetings.
- Ask for the draft before the meeting. See transition IEP meeting checklist.
- The VR regulation makes pre-employment transition services available to students with disabilities statewide without applying for VR. See pre-employment transition services.
Ages 16 and 17: build the bridge
This is the year for agencies and experiences.
- Contact the state VR agency and ask about services, waiting lists, and documents. The Social Security Administration's youth page gives the same advice to youth at 16 and 17 and adds that applications for college, community college, or VR should begin before the age-18 review. See vocational rehabilitation basics.
- Try work-based learning. See job shadowing and work experience.
- Look at the course of study and the credit count. See course of study.
- Practice independent living skills at home. See independent living goals.
- Get on any adult service waiting lists the state allows. See Medicaid waivers overview.
One year before the age of majority
Section 300.320(c) requires, no later than one year before the age of majority, an IEP statement that the student has been informed of the rights that will transfer. This is the moment to learn what the state does and to talk with the student. See age of majority and the IEP and guardianship and supported decision-making: an orientation.
Age 18: the legal changes
At the age of majority, in states that transfer rights, the student becomes the rights holder and the school notifies both student and parents under section 300.520. For students who receive SSI, the Social Security Administration says it will make a new decision about the disability at 18. See SSI and transition-age youth. Services under the IEP continue.
Ages 18 to 21 or 22: the final years
Eligibility ends at graduation with a regular diploma or at the state's upper age limit. See how long special education services can last and diploma or certificate. These years often emphasize community experience, work, and connections to adult agencies. See supported employment overview for one adult-services path.
Exit: the hand-off
At exit, the school gives a summary of performance. See summary of performance explained. A student heading to college needs documentation. See what documentation colleges ask for and how to ask for college accommodations.
Using this timeline
Print it, fill it in with your case manager, and update it each fall.
Timeline mix-ups
- Waiting until 16 to talk. The law sets a latest age, not the first conversation.
- Treating 18 as the start. Several steps happen the year before.
- Assuming every state matches. Check the age and forms in yours.
- Doing the steps one at a time. Many can run together.
- Leaving the summary for the last week. Ask early.
Terms are in the glossary.