Which law mandates the transition planning for students with disabilities?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law that mandates transition planning for students with disabilities. One of the key provisions of IDEA is that it requires schools to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student with a disability. As part of this IEP, schools must include transition planning that identifies the goals and services necessary to support the student's movement from secondary education to postsecondary life, such as employment or further education.

This transition planning must begin no later than the age of 16, and it focuses on the student's strengths, preferences, and interests to ensure that they are prepared for life after school. This is a crucial aspect of supporting students with disabilities, as it helps facilitate a smoother transition into adulthood and enables them to achieve greater independence and success in various life domains. Other laws, while they may support individuals with disabilities, do not have the same specific provisions related to transition planning in the educational context.