Hickman Mills will require earlier IEP transition planning

What happened

The Board approved a Local Compliance Plan update requiring postsecondary transition services to be included in an eligible student’s IEP before the student leaves eighth grade, starting in the 2027–28 school year. An IEP team may determine that services should be included earlier.

Why it matters to families

Families and school teams will need to plan for postsecondary transition supports earlier for students with disabilities, rather than waiting until later in high school.

The evidence

The September 17, 2026 Board Brief says the Board approved updates to the District’s Local Compliance Plan to align with Missouri’s Special Education State Plan. It specifies that, effective in 2027–28, postsecondary transition services must be included in a student’s IEP before the student leaves eighth grade, or earlier when the IEP team determines it is appropriate.

The source