Each state establishes their own policies and procedures regarding the implementation of IDEA. Therefore, IDEA implementation can look different state to state.
The federal government set up a requirement that each state has to provide a state performance plan that focuses on 20 indicators of compliance with IDEA. These indicators provide the government a way to measure what is required nationally.
Each year states must turn in the data on these 20 indicators. The 13th indicator addresses transition services. The focus of Indicator 13 is to ensure that IEPs are in compliance with the transition requirements of IDEA.
For Indicator 13, states have to report the percent of youth age 16 and above with an IEP that includes coordinated, measurable annual IEP goals and transition services that will reasonably enable the student to meet the post-secondary goals. States rely on data from school districts to report their compliance with transition and their IEPs.
The Indicator 13 checklist focuses on whether or not the following elements are addressed in a student’s IEP:
- Measurable post-secondary goals;
- Annual IEP goal to meet post-secondary goals;
- Transition services to improve academic and functional achievement;
- Agency representation;
- Age-appropriate transition assessments; and
- Courses of study.
Parents, you need to print out this checklist and use it to measure your child’s transition goals. Use this as a guide to figure out if your child’s IEP is in compliance with the transition requirements of IDEA.
Link to Indicator 13 Checklist: Indicator 13 ChecklistA Final September 29 2009.doc (state.nm.us)Indicator 13 Checklist for Post Secondary Transition Planning