Under federal guidelines, by what age should transition planning be in place, with state policies potentially setting earlier requirements?

• A. Develop transition planning by age 12.
• B. Develop transition planning by age 16 (federal) or earlier per state policy.
• C. Transition planning is required by age 20.
• D. Transition planning is optional.

Answer: (B)

Transition planning is timed to ensure students are prepared for life after high school. Federal guidelines require that transition planning be in place not later than age 16, so there’s enough time to set postsecondary goals and line up the services that support those goals. States may establish earlier requirements, but they cannot delay the baseline federal timing.

This means the best answer reflects the federal rule of starting by age 16, with room for state policies to require it sooner. The other options don’t fit because a baseline by age 12 is earlier than federal standards, by age 20 would occur after high school planning typically ends, and claiming it’s optional ignores the mandatory nature of transition planning for eligible students.