HB4822 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 15564 NHT 41563 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB4822

Introduced , by Rep. Elizabeth Coulson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/14-8.03

from Ch. 122, par. 14-8.03

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Makes changes to a Section concerning transition goals, supports, and services. Removes certain provisions concerning transition goals and supports. Provides instead that beginning no later than the first individualized education plan (IEP) in effect when the student turns age 14 1/2 (or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team) and updated annually thereafter, the IEP must include (i) measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments and other information available regarding the student that are related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills and (ii) the transition services needed to assist the student in reaching those goals, including courses of study. Makes changes concerning additional IEP Team members, the IEP identifying each person responsible for transition services, the involvement of a public or private entity outside of the school district in transition services, the limit on a public school's responsibility for delivering educational services, and submitting a summary to the local Transition Planning Committee. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section 14-8.03 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/14-8.03) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-8.03)

Sec. 14-8.03. Transition goals, supports, and services.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "transition services" means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that (i) is designed to be within a results-oriented process that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child's movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation; (ii) is based on the individual child's needs, taking into account the child's strengths, preferences, and interests; and (iii) includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and the provision of a functional vocational evaluation. Transition services for a student with a disability may be special education, if provided as specially designed instruction, or a related service if required to assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education.

(a-5) Beginning no later than the first individualized education plan (IEP) in effect when the student turns age 14 1/2 (or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team) and updated annually thereafter, the IEP must include (i) measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments and other information available regarding the student that are related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills and (ii) the transition services needed to assist the student in reaching those goals, including courses of study. A school district shall consider, and develop when needed, the transition goals and supports for eligible students with disabilities not later than the school year in which the student reaches age 14 1/2 at the individualized education plan meeting and provide services as identified on the student's individualized education plan. Transition goals shall be based on appropriate evaluation procedures and information, take into consideration the preferences of the student and his or her parents or guardian, be outcome-oriented, and include employment, post-secondary education, and community living alternatives. Consideration of these goals shall result in the clarification of a school district's responsibility to deliver specific educational services such as vocational training and community living skills instruction.

(b) To appropriately assess and develop IEP transition goals and transition services for a student with a disability plan for the student's transition needs, additional IEP Team individualized education plan team members may be necessary and may be asked by the school district to participate assist in the transition planning process. Additional individualized education plan team members may include a representative from the Department of Human Services or another State agency, a case coordinator, or persons representing other public or community agencies or services, such as adult service providers or public community colleges. The IEP individualized education plan shall identify specify each person responsible for coordinating and delivering transition services. If a student's transition services include the involvement of a public or private entity outside of the school district, the school district shall confirm to the IEP Team whether the linkage to the outside entity has been achieved. The public school's responsibility for delivering educational services does not extend beyond the time the student leaves school or when the student reaches age 21.

(c) A school district shall submit annually a summary of each eligible student's IEP transition goals and transition services needed supports resulting from the IEP Team individualized education plan team meeting to the appropriate local Transition Planning Committee. If students with disabilities who are ineligible for special education services request transition services, local public school districts shall assist those students by identifying post-secondary school goals, delivering appropriate education services, and coordinating with other agencies and services for assistance.

(Source: P.A. 92-452, eff. 8-21-01.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.