Students Turning 18
For Parents of Students Turning 18
Indiana statute provides that "when a student attains eighteen (18) years of age, all of the rights that were formerly provided to the student's parents [guardian] under this article shall transfer to the student." This transfer of rights will take place upon your student's eighteenth birthday.
Your student will also be notified of the transfer of rights which is about to take place.
You will be notified of future case conferences, but may participate at the student's discretion and in an advisory capacity only.
Educational records housed at the Michigan City Area Schools administration building will be maintained for five (5) years from the date of the student graduates or exits special education. If the adult student wishes to obtain his/her special education records, he/she must submit a written request to the office of Student Support Services prior to the fifth-year anniversary of the student's graduation/exit from special education date. Records will be destroyed after the seventh anniversary date.
Any questions or concerns that you may have about guardianship issues, transfer of rights, etc., may best be directed to individuals who can offer legal advice. In the absence of any legal documents limiting the student's rights, Michigan City Area Schools will consider educational decisions made by the student to be final.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Special Education with any questions regarding the transfer of rights to a student turning 18 and we will assist you in any way that we can.
IDOE Resources about the Transfer of Rights
For Students Turning 18
Now You Are 18!
When you turn 18, you are considered an adult in many areas of your life. Things will change and school is just one of the areas you will experience change in. Below are changes you will experience in school as a student eligible for special education services.
- You will be a partner with the school in your case conference committee (CCC) meetings.
- You will make decisions about your Individual Education Plan (IEP).
- Other decisions you will make:
- Other things to remember:
You will be a partner with the school in your case conference committee (CCC) meetings.
- You will help to decide the date, time, and place of the CCC meeting.
- The school will send a notice of the CCC meeting directly to you.
- The school will provide a copy of Procedural Safeguards directly to you.
- Procedural Safeguards are your educational rights.
- The school will send a copy of the notice of the CCC meeting to your parent(s)/guardian.
- You may have your parents at the CCC meeting.
- You may invite other people to attend the CCC meeting with you.
- You will sign the documents for your plan.
You will make decisions about your Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Other decisions you will make:
- If the school requests an evaluation, you may decide whether or not to participate in the evaluation.
- For the school to share copies of any of your educational documents, you must provide consent in writing.
- If you do not believe the evaluation is complete or correct, you may request an independent evaluation.
Other things to remember:
- You may ask for a CCC meeting at any time you feel you need one.
- You may ask to review your school records.
- You may request corrections to any records you believe are incorrect.
- You may ask someone to help you or be your advocate at any meeting, mediation, or due process.
- You may file a complaint to get mediation to start a due process if you believe the school is not following your IEP.
- You may continue to receive services until your 22nd birthday, unless you have received a high school diploma prior to your 22nd birthday.
- You may call the Indiana Department of Education, Office of Special Education, or Insource for support with any questions.