Age of Majority/Transfer of Rights Changes to ACHIEVE
With the release of the Achieve Family Portal, changes have been made to ACHIEVE (effective as of 4/10/2025) to ensure educational decision-making rights transfer appropriately as learners approach the age of majority.
Upon reaching the age of majority/date of rights transfer, the IEP team must generate Age of Majority letters in ACHIEVE to notify the Learner and I.D.E.A. Parent(s) of rights transfer.
Details about these changes can be found in the following resources:
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Transition Documentation in the IEP
GPAEA has created two tools to provide information about how to document the transition process within the IEP.
TR 8 IEP Documentation Format for ACHIEVE (updated March 2025) guides IEP teams through the documentation of secondary transition information in the IEP. The Think Abouts should be considered as teams plan and make decisions for learners’ Post Secondary Expectations. The Sentence Starters may be used to generate documented information. The information included is not all inclusive; each IEP should be individualized based on the learner’s individual skills and needs.
The intent of the GPAEA Transition Planning Tool is to guide IEP teams through the process of planning and documenting transition needs for learners. The Think Abouts should be considered as teams plan and make decisions for learners’ Post Secondary Expectations. The resources listed provide support to gather information about a learner’s needs and prepare the learner for the future. The questions included are not exhaustive; each IEP should be individualized based on the learner’s skills and needs.
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Preparing for Graduation
Graduation is an exciting time that is quickly approaching for graduating students! Here is some information to help IEP teams and students prepare for this transition:
IEP teams often have senior exit meetings a few weeks before graduation to share with the student and family the final paperwork and to celebrate. This i3 page has guidance/steps to follow about exiting students, including graduation by district diploma.
When a student exits special education due to high school graduation, the IEP team must complete the Summary for Post-secondary Living, Learning and Working (PSS). The IEP team should ensure the student is involved in the development of the summary document. This is a document that students can take with them to the next setting, to summarize their services and needs, and who to contact after high school. The i3 site includes guidance on this (and other secondary transition topics).
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Preparing for Post Secondary Learning and Working: Disability Disclosure and Requesting Accommodations
Transitioning from high school to college and/ or work can be a challenging time. This process may be even more challenging for students who have disabilities and who may need accommodations in college or the workplace. Below you’ll find resources that highlight some of the key differences between high school and college/employment. These differences include:
Legislation – High School Students are protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. After graduation, individuals with disabilities are protected by the ADA and Section 504—the Fair Housing Act will also apply to students living on a college campus.
Model of Accommodation – In high school, documentation is used for eligibility, instruction and intervention. The IDEA is aimed at “success.” The ADA is aimed at “access.” In college or the workplace, documentation is used for eligibility and access to accommodations.
Documentation – High schools use Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans to document services and supports a student will receive. Colleges and workplaces use a variety of documentation that typically includes medical and educational reports. The Post Secondary Summary (PSS) can be shared with an employer or college Disability Accessibility Services Coordinator to indicate services received in high school and determine accommodations needed in the new setting.
Responsibility – In high school, once a disability has been identified, the school (as part of the IEP team) is largely responsible for implementing an academic plan (IEP). To receive accommodations at the college level, students need to identify themselves to the Accessibility Office and then take an active role in receiving the academic accommodations for their classes on a semester by semester basis. In the workplace, an employee would need to disclose a disability to an employer to request an accommodation.
Resources
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Newly updated ISTLC site and features
The Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community (ISTLC) is a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities across Iowa. Supported by the Iowa Department of Education, ISTLC provides a platform for secondary educators, families, and community partners to connect, share resources, and engage in professional development focused on transition planning.
Key Components and Resources:
Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Framework: Iowa employs the SDI Framework for Secondary Transition, which integrates the former Iowa Transition Model. This framework guides IEP teams through a structured process encompassing four phases: Diagnose, Design, Delivery, and Engage. It emphasizes six critical elements:
Student preferences and interests
Age-appropriate transition assessments
Postsecondary expectations for living, learning, and working
Course of study
Annual goals
Services and supports
Professional Learning Opportunities: ISTLC offers webinars and focused learning communities on various secondary transition topics, fostering continuous learning and collaboration among stakeholders.
Resource Sharing: The community curates and disseminates resources, including coaching tools, instructional planning materials, and postsecondary planning guides, to support effective transition planning.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services: ISTLC provides information on vocational rehabilitation services, including an overview of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), to assist students in preparing for employment.
For more detailed information and access to these resources, you can visit the ISTLC website at https://sites.google.com/view/iowa-secondary-transition/home._______________________________________________________________________________________________
