IDEA

The 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) emphasized:

n Students must be prepared to participate in planning for their future.

nStudents must be active participants in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process.

nThe law also requires coordinated and documented planning. Early and meaningful transition planning, which  involves students and their families.

nThe law clearly states that the student is the most important member of the team. According to the IDEA regulations at 300.344, the student must be invited to participate in the IEP meeting whenever the purpose of the meeting is related to transition ( any IEP meeting after reaching age 14).

n(National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, 2002a, 2002b).