Change in Age of Majority documentation on the new IEP

As with any new program, there is always a new learning curve.

For almost a decade, your transition coordinators have trained (and trained!) that Middle School Special Education teachers should almost NEVER have to fill in the dates for Age of Majority on Page A of the IEP.

If you don’t remember what Age of Majority is all about (because you didn’t need to know it!), filling in these dates meant that you distributed the Age of Majority – Parents Guide as well as the Age of Majority – Student Guide at the IEP meeting.  The date that this was done is documented in the notification blanks listed as student and parent.  (see sample below).  In order to meet compliance, this had to be documented prior to the student turning 17 years old.

The major change is that the new IEP form will not submit UNTIL these blanks are filled in for any student reaching transition age (13+) and up.  That means it will be the middle school special education teachers most often filling in these blanks and distributing the parent and student forms.

It does not seem realistic that many parents of 13½ year olds will be focusing on their child’s 18th birthday.  Since this information can be critically important for future planning,  it will probably mean that high school special education teachers will need to redistribute the Parent and Student Guides again, prior to the student’s 17th birthday.

If you have any questions, please be sure to contact your transition coordinator.