IEP Navigator
IEP Transition Checklist for Minnesota Families
Written by Casey, a Minnesota school counselor and former special education teacher.
Transition planning is the part of an IEP that looks past high school -- toward work, further education, and independent living. Minnesota law requires it to start earlier than many families expect, and it's easy to walk into that first transition meeting without knowing what's actually supposed to be covered. This checklist walks through it in plain language.
When transition planning has to start
Under both federal law (IDEA) and Minnesota's own rules, transition planning must begin no later than the IEP in effect when your child turns 14, and Minnesota schools often start the conversation earlier than that. If your child is 13 or approaching an IEP where they'll turn 14, it's reasonable to ask the team directly whether transition planning is starting this year.
What a transition plan is required to include
A compliant transition plan should include: measurable postsecondary goals covering education/training, employment, and (where appropriate) independent living; the transition services and supports needed to reach those goals; and, starting the year your child turns 17 (16 in some cases), a statement that your child has been told their educational rights will transfer to them at age 18, unless a court has appointed a guardian. If any of these pieces are missing from a transition IEP, that's worth raising with the team directly -- not as an accusation, just a question about where it is in the document.
Questions worth asking at the meeting
A few that tend to surface real gaps: What does my child want to do after high school, in their own words -- has anyone actually asked them? What specific classes, work experiences, or community activities this year connect to those goals? Who at the school is responsible for tracking progress on the transition goals between now and the next IEP? What happens to services and support the summer after graduation -- is there a plan for that gap?
What to bring to the meeting
Any notes on what your child has said they're interested in (even informally), a copy of the current IEP's present levels section so you can compare it to what's proposed, and a written list of your own questions -- it's easy for questions to get lost in a fast-moving meeting if they're only in your head.
Where to go deeper
IEP Navigator's Guide tab (once you've added your child) walks through Minnesota's specific transition timeline rules, and the Career Pathways section helps a student explore real career options with plain-language information on education paths, demand, and pay -- useful groundwork before the postsecondary goals get written down.
This is general information, not legal advice, and isn't specific to your child's own IEP. For anything specific to your situation, talk with your child's IEP team or a special education attorney or advocate.