My Teenager Is Turning 16 — What Changes?

If your child with an IEP is turning 16 — or is already in high school — there is something important you need to know: the school is now required to start planning for life after graduation. This is called transition planning, and it changes the focus of the IEP from "how do we support your child in school" to "how do we prepare your child for adulthood."

The Quick Answer

Starting no later than the IEP in effect when your child turns 16, the school must include transition planning in the IEP. This means setting specific, measurable goals for what your child will do after high school — whether that's college, vocational training, employment, or independent living — and creating a plan to get there. Your teenager must be invited to this meeting.

Your Rights in This Situation

• Transition planning is required by law. This is not optional. If your child's IEP does not include a transition plan by age 16, the school is out of compliance with IDEA.
• Your teenager must be invited to the meeting. The school must invite your child to attend and participate in the IEP meeting when transition is discussed. This is about their future — their voice matters.
• You can request early transition planning. Many experts recommend starting at age 14. If your child is younger than 16 and you want to start planning, you can request it at the next IEP meeting.
• Transition assessments should drive the goals. Before setting goals, the school should conduct age-appropriate transition assessments that look at your child's interests, strengths, and needs.
• Outside agencies can be involved. The school should connect your teenager with agencies like the Department of Rehabilitation or Regional Center that can provide support after high school.

What to Do

1. Ask about transition planning at the next IEP meeting. If your child is 15 or older and there has been no discussion of transition, raise it immediately. Ask: "When will we begin developing a transition plan for my child?" If the IEP already includes transition goals, review them — are they specific and based on your child's actual interests, or are they vague and generic?

2. Talk to your teenager. Before the IEP meeting, sit down with your child and talk about what they want for their future. Do they want to go to college? Learn a trade? Get a job? Live on their own? Their answers should shape the transition goals. Help them understand that this is their meeting — their voice is essential.

3. Request a transition assessment. If the school has not conducted a transition assessment — an evaluation of your child's career interests, aptitudes, and independent living skills — request one in writing. The goals in the IEP should be based on real data, not assumptions.

4. Review the transition goals carefully. Good transition goals are specific: "Student will complete a job application independently" or "Student will enroll in a community college vocational program in automotive technology." Weak goals are vague: "Student will explore career options." Push for specifics.

5. Ask about agency referrals. If your child may need support after high school, ask the school to connect you with the Department of Rehabilitation, Regional Center, or college disability services (DSPS). The school should invite agency representatives to the IEP meeting, with your consent.

6. Plan for the transfer of rights at 18. Talk to the IEP team about what happens when your child turns 18. Discuss whether your child will be able to make their own educational decisions or whether you need to explore conservatorship or educational representative options.

Learn More

• Transition Planning — Full details on transition requirements, assessments, agency involvement, and transfer of rights at 18
• IEP Basics — Understanding the IEP process and your rights as a parent
• IEP Meeting Rights — How to prepare for and participate in IEP meetings effectively