Considerations for Transition Programming for Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) Beyond Age 18

The Beyond Age 18 website is designed to help teams create meaningful, individualized special education services for students with IEPs who stay in high school after their peers graduate. For some students with IEPs this time may be used to finish credits towards graduation with a regular high school diploma while others may build skills as they transition to life after high school. This guidance is provided to help teams reflect on what supports are needed and where, as well as connecting with outside agencies and braiding services to improve post school outcomes for students with IEPs.

Think of Beyond Age 18 as the passing of a baton, from school to outside agencies and postsecondary options that will support the student as they leave school. The transition should be seamless, smooth and gradual as school supports begin to fade and other supports pick up. All transition stakeholders support the development of student postsecondary transition goals and preparing the student to meet those goals. It’s extremely important that planning reflects the natural environment the student will be living, working, and attending school or training as the student grows into an active member of their community. Based on each student’s unique disability-related needs, the following guidance provides key considerations in how to provide special education services to meet postsecondary IEP goals. These considerations range from services for transportation to recreation and leisure, as well as postsecondary education and employment opportunities.