FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GLOSSARY OF
TRANSITION TERMS
Age of Majority
Massachusetts Special Education law that mandates provision of free and appropriate public education for all children, regardless of disability, in the least restrictive environment.
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Chapter 71B
The age at which student, regardless of severity of disability, is considered to be an adult competent to make his/her own decisions. In Massachusetts, this age is 18. Unless there is a court-appointed guardian
or the student chooses to share decision-making with parents, student has the right to make decisions and must sign all consent forms.
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Massachusetts Transition Planning law enacted in 1983 that provides two-year transition planning process for students with severe disabilities who will need adult services upon graduation/turning 22.
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Chapter 688
Guardianship
A court action in which an individual (Guardian) is appointed by probate court to make decisions for another individual.
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, the most recent reauthorization of the federal special education law that includes transition requirements for students receiving special education.
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​IDEA 2004
Individualized Education Plan, a written education plan developed by a school-based team in accordance with state and federal special education laws that describe a student’s special education needs and the services to be provided to meet those needs.
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IEP
ITP
Individualized Transition Plan, a written transition plan for Chapter 688-eligible students developed by the adult service agency designated as the Lead 688 Transitional Agency.
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TPF
Transition Planning Form, a state-mandated form to be completed by school staff to document transition planning for students receiving special education starting at age 14 and continuing on an annual basis until graduation/turning 22.
What is the student's role in transition planning?
The student is at the center of the transition planning process and needs to be encouraged and supported to take an active role in this process. This can be done through activities such as:
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Participating, or even leading, their annual IEP meeting,
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Developing their own Vision Statement to share at the IEP meeting,
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Identifying career options that match their interests and skills,
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Taking courses in school to prepare them for postsecondary goals.
The student needs to begin to explore post-school options while still in school. This may include:
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developing a portfolio of interests and experiences,
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visiting college programs,
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job-shadowing at a work-site or contacting an adult agency to apply for services.
What is Age of Majority?
Under Massachusetts law, 18 years of age is the “age of majority.” Unless there has been court action giving guardianship to another adult, at 18, students are considered adults legally competent to make their own decisions, regardless of the severity of their disability. Parents and students must be notified by the school district about this transfer of rights to the student and the educational impact on the student and the parents at least one year before the student turns 18. If the student is not ready to take on full decision-making responsibility when he/she turns 18, there are other options such as shared decision-making that can be explored.
