Age Out Timelines

Eligibility for special education services under the IDEA generally terminates when the student graduates with a regular high school diploma or reaches their 22nd birthday, whichever comes first (EDC §56026). A student's receipt of an alternative diploma or a certificate of completion does not terminate their right to receive special education and related services under the IDEA. For further information on alternative diplomas or certificate of completion, see the "Graduation Options for Students with Disabilities" section of this Procedural Guide, the "Certificate of Completion Guidelines" section of this Procedural Guide, or the El Dorado SELPA's "Certificate of Completion Guidelines."  

Students with IEPs who have not received a regular high school diploma and are between the ages of 19 and 21 years, inclusive, must be enrolled in or eligible for a special education program before their 19th birthday to continue receiving special education services. 

Any student who turns 22 years of age during the months of January to June while participating in a special education program may continue their participation for the remainder of the current fiscal year (the fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30), including any extended school year (ESY) program for students with disabilities. 

Any student aged 21 eligible to participate in a special education program shall not be allowed to begin a new fiscal year in a program if they become 22 years of age in July, August, or September of the new fiscal year. However, if a student is in a year-round school program and is completing their individualized education program in a term that extends into the new fiscal year, then the student may complete that term. 

Any student who becomes 22 years of age during the months of October, November, or December while participating in a special education program shall be terminated from the program on December 31 of the current fiscal year unless the student would otherwise complete their individualized education program at the end of the current fiscal year. For example, if a student has a 22nd birthday in November but is on track to receive a high school diploma in June of the same fiscal year, they will not continue to receive services past June, which is the end of that fiscal year.

Useful Links:

Graduations Option for Students with Disabilities PG Section: https://charterselpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/17.5-GRADUATION-OPTIONS-FOR-STUDENTS-WITH-DISABILITIES-CHARTER.pdf 

Certificate of Complete Guidelines: https://charterselpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/certificate-of-completion-guidelines.pdf 

Parental Consent and Parental Revocation of Consent Section of the PG: https://charterselpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PARENTAL-CONSENT-AND-PARENTAL-REVOCATION-OF-CONSENT-1.pdf 

Prior Written Notice Section of the PG: https://charterselpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PRIOR-WRITTEN-NOTICE.pdf