States Decrease Their Required Secondary Transition Planning Age: Federal Policy Must Change

Abstract

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act 2004 mandates transition planning for students with disabilities begin by the age of 16 years. Currently, no study exists describing when states and territories require transition planning to begin; we conducted a methodical review to determine this age. We found over half (52%) the U.S. states and territories (29 of 56) require transition planning begin prior to the federal age 16 mandate. To argue the age 16 federal mandate is too old and needs to be lowered to at least age 14, we review special education law, provide a summary of influential position statements, cite relevant data-based studies, and provide an overview of research-based transition models.

Keywords

transition policy

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