California Schools To Start Earlier Post-Secondary Transition Planning For High School Students With Special Needs  

On July 1, 2025, a new California law went into effect that requires public schools to provide students with disabilities with post-secondary transition planning sooner than the previous starting point at age 16. Under the new law, the planning must begin at the start of high school, if deemed appropriate by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) team.  

In addition to requiring that transition planning start sooner, the bill requires that an IEP include measurable postsecondary goals and transition services. The change is anticipated to increase employment rates when appropriate for the students after they age out of . . .