What is the age of majority?
The age in which the child will now be considered an adult and MUST receive notice of an IEP meeting, consent to an evaluation, select the participants of an IEP meeting, attend an IEP meeting and consent to the contents of an IEP.
These rights must be explained no later than one year prior to the age of majority. The age of majority is most commonly the 18th birthday but could be different based on the State you live in. See the chart below.
Why does the age of majority matter?
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Parents are used to holding their child’s educational rights. These rights transfer to the child when they hit the age of majority. Often times parents feel upset and isolated when the school stops talking to them regarding their child’s IEP and start talking directly to the student. It’s very important for the parents and their child to have a plan for when this time comes. Make it clear to your child that you still want to be a part of the conversation and that they should never sign anything without discussing it with you first. If the school is pressuring your child to sign any IEP documentation without you present teach them to respond this way:
“Thank you, but I don’t feel comfortable signing anything without going over the document with my parents first and having them present when I sign.”
This should diffuse the situation and allow your child time to discuss the document with you. If your child does not have the cognitive ability to make their own decisions then the parents would need to go to court and get a conservatorship for their child. If this is the case, talk to an attorney early becuase it is a lengthy process.
| State | Age of Majority |
| Alabama | 19 |
| Alaska | 18 |
| Arizona | 18 |
| Arkansas | The later of 18 or graduation from high school |
| California | 18 |
| Colorado | 18 |
| Connecticut | 18 |
| Delaware | 19 |
| Florida | 18 |
| Georgia | 18 |
| Hawaii | 18 |
| Idaho | 18 |
| Illinois | 18 |
| Indiana | 18 |
| Iowa | 18 |
| Kansas | 18 |
| Kentucky | 18 |
| Louisiana | 18 |
| Maine | 18 |
| Maryland | 18 |
| Massachusetts | 18 |
| Michigan | 18 |
| Minnesota | 18 |
| Mississippi | 21 |
| Missouri | 18 |
| Montana | 18 |
| Nebraska | 19 |
| Nevada | 18 or if still in high school the later of 19 or graduation |
| New Hampshire | 18 |
| New Jersey | 18 |
| New Mexico | 18 |
| New York | 18 |
| North Carolina | 18 |
| North Dakota | 18 |
| Ohio | The earlier of 18 or graduation from high school |
| Oklahoma | 18 |
| Oregon | 18 |
| Pennsylvania | 21 |
| Rhode Island | 18 |
| South Carolina | 18 |
| South Dakota | 18 |
| Tennessee | The later of 18 or graduation from high school |
| Texas | 18 |
| Utah | The earlier of 18 or graduation from high school |
| Vermont | 18 |
| Virginia | The later of 18 or graduation from high school |
| Washington | 18 |
| West Virginia | 18 |
| Wisconsin | 18 or if still in high school the later of 19 or graduation |
| Wyoming | 18 |
Jennifer Volpe said on December 16, 2010
It is my understanding that the IDEA gives the power to the states to enact a law transfering the parental rights to the child in special education proceedings at the age of 18. However, it is up to the individual states to enact a law transfering the rights. In NY, no law exists that I have found. As a result the rights do not transfer. Do you have evidence of a law in NY State transfering these rights? If so, could you please inform me. Many thanks for your assistance.
Doug Goldberg said on December 16, 2010
If you go onto the NY Department of Education’s website and review the Special Education regulations (Part 200) there are many references made to the Student consenting after reaching the age of 18.
Part 200.4(a)(2)(e) for instance says “a student who is 18 years of age or older, or an emancipated minor, who is eligible to attend the public schools of the district.” may consent to evaluation for assessment for special education services.
The Educational code also defines a minor as anyone under the age of 18.
I hope this helps.
Chris Vacek said on January 11, 2011
Great info. Quick question: My son, although verbal, is developmentally at about a 5year old level. How does this affect children who are not functionally independent enough to participate – when cognitive faculties are on the moderate to severe end of the spectrum? Do I have to apply for “guardian” status, so that I can continue to make education decisions on his behalf?
Doug Goldberg said on January 11, 2011
You will need to go to court and get a conservatorship to be able to make all your child’s decisions past the age of 18. I suggest talking to an attorney to help you with the process.
If you are just worried about the IEP your child could assign his educational rights to you. Alot of school districts will accept this but since it’s not legally bidning your child has the option to withdraw this assignment at anytime they feel like it.
Rochelle said on January 11, 2011
What my girls did was to go to an attorney and grant us Power of Attorney for educational matters – not just the IEP. They’d availed themselves of their right to have say in IEP meetings/who is on the team and the district ignored them.
Jessica said on January 18, 2011
So, I actually have more of a question than a comment. If a child gets off their IEP, and then the school goes behind the backs of the parents and the that child who is sixteen turning seventeen and put them on a plan, is that considered illegal?
Doug Goldberg said on January 18, 2011
Hi Jessica, as the parent, you hold the educational rights of your child until they reach the age of majority. This means the school MUST have your consent in order to place the child/student on an IEP. You also have the right to revoke consent at anytime putting them back into general education.
The question I have is what is the current disagreement over? If your child was exited from his IEP why does the school now feel he should be put back on an IEP/
Jaime Duran said on January 26, 2011
Where did you find the ages from the different states. How current are the ages? Will you list the source if possible?
Doug Goldberg said on January 26, 2011
Hi Jaime,
There isn’t one main source. Most of them are found by looking at each State’s Educational code and Special Education Regulations.
Jaime Duran said on January 26, 2011
I am writing about the age of majority and I’d like to cite your page. Do you have a date? I see that the topic was posted October 5th. Was this 2010? Thanks for the speedy reply. Amazing, really.
Doug Goldberg said on January 26, 2011
I get an email anytime someone comments
Yes, it was 2010.
Nick said on November 14, 2011
I believe you are incorrect about New York. There is no provision specifically providing for a transfer of rights, as required by 34 CFR 300.520. Furthermore, I recently attended a presentation by Art Cernosia, at which he stated that New York is the only state which does not transfer parental rights to the student at the age of majority.
Eric said on December 30, 2011
I live in California but and my son is currently receiving an AB3260 funded residential placement in Utah. He will turn 18 before he graduates High School and will be forced to leave his residential facility. His psychological issues prevent him from moving back home with his family. How do I go about finding him assistance so he can finish High School. Left on his own he most certainly would not go to school. Thanks in advance.
Doug Goldberg said on January 4, 2012
Eric, An IEP can stay in place until the earlier of graduation or his 22nd birthday. You son will not need to leave the residential placement unless he as an adult decides to leave.
If you don’t think he is capable of making these types of decisions you should call a lawyer and try to get a conservatorship over your sons affairs. In this way you will still have all decision making powers even after he turns 18.
Wendy Nelson said on January 28, 2012
The age of majority with regard to special education in Pennsylvania is 21, not 18 (as shown in your chart)
Giovanna said on June 16, 2012
The age of majority in Pa is 18 in which all rights get transferred to their son or daughter. For Special Education purposes it is 21.
I am not clear on what this means. If my son or daughter is a senior in high school in Pa and has their 18th birthday that year and also earns his high school diploma, a regular diploma not IEP diploma, does that mean he is considered an adult and has reached the age of majority even if he chooses to “bank ” his diploma so he can under a special education policy under an IEP receive a free post secondary education? Would my child’s father then not be obligated to continue to financially support his child as in court ordered child support if he chooses to file to terminate it ? Are parents financially obligated to support a child who has a specific learning disability under the IEP once this child is 18 and has earned their diploma but chooses to bank it to continue with Free education rights?
Courtney said on July 20, 2012
I work with transitioning youth in PA and have been recently thrown head first into issues regarding “age of majority”.
The age of majority only applies to educational rights, which belong to the parent or guardian until the student turns 18, or (if they have an IEP) 21. If your child has an IEP, you retain educational rights until they turn 21, and must be invited to all IEP meetings and must sign off on educational plans.
I do not believe that in our county (Bucks) students have the option to receive a diploma and then continue with special education afterwards, although your local school district would be able to explain that process in detail. Generally a student is entitled to free high school education until age 21 or graduation.
If your child support arrangement is linked to your child’s continuation of high school then as long as they continue to be in school under the IEP plan, you should continue to receive child support. (I believe that for youth in the foster care system, their natural parents are required to pay child support until the youth is 21, leaves care, or graduates college – regular child support rules should be similar).
If the child support agreement is linked to a specific age, it would still end when your child turns the agreed upon age (often 18). Your county domestics office would be able to help you comb through the details of any child support arrangement.
Sue said on August 22, 2012
My son just turned 18. He has not yet graduated from High School. We live in CA. What do I need to do to have Power of Attorney for decisions regarding his education. I’ve been told a California Uniform Statuary POA is not enough.
Doug Goldberg said on August 22, 2012
I m not an attorney but my understanding I you would need a conservatorship? I would check with an attorney
Samantha said on March 12, 2013
Hello I am a student currently on a iep I am a couple of
Months from being 18 the only reason I have a iep
Is for math but I already have all the math credits
I need to graduate I do not graduate till next year
I no longer wish to be on my iep for I don’t need it any
More since I no longer have math classes is there a
Way for me at 18 to no longer have a iep? I’d so how
Do I go about it? I live in Minnesota so the age majority
Is 18. And for personal issues I won’t be living with my parents
After my birthday so I would like to know my rights to
My education before I turn 18. Thank you.
GALANNA said on April 28, 2013
I HAVE A QUESTION: MY SON HAS NEVER HAD AN IEP, HOWEVER THE TEACHERS OVER THE YEARS KEPT TELLING ME THAT HES YOUNG HE DOESNT NEED IT, HE IS NOW 19 AND AND I HAD PUT HIM ON A K12 PROGRAM FOR HOME AND THEY WERE GOING TO TEST HIM HOWEVER THE SCHOOL GOT SHUT DOWN SO IT NEVER HAPPENNED. HE WAS HOWEVER TESTED TO SEE WHERE HIS ACADEMICS WERE AT, AND IT WAS AT A 4TH GRADE LEVEL AS OF LAST YEAR, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY SON, I AM FROM CHICAGO, NOW LIVING IN NEVADA FOR THE PAST 9 YEARS…. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN TELL ME..
THANKS
GALANNA