What is Indicator 13?

What Is Indicator 13?

Indicator 13 is a federal performance measure used to monitor state compliance with special education laws under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Specifically, it focuses on transition planning for students with disabilities to help them prepare for life after high school.

The ultimate emphasis of secondary transition planning must always be preparing students for successful post-school experiences. To achieve this, supportive adults, including educators, families, and community organization representatives, need to collaborate on helping students:

- - Identify their personal strengths, interests, needs, and preferences.
  - Determine their own future goals and path after high school graduation.
  - Understand the specific skills and knowledge required to succeed on their chosen path, particularly as it relates to managing and navigating their disabilities.

When transition planning actively empowers students to build these vital self-advocacy skills, they are truly prepared to take their next steps into adulthood.

Indicator 13 is one of 18 Indicators (performance measures) that the federal government uses to monitor state performance relative to Federal Special Education laws. Indicator data is reported annually to the federal government in the Annual Performance Report (APR) as part of the IDEA – Part B Special Education State Performance Plan (SPP). Indicator 13 relates to transition planning for students.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized on December 3, 2004, and its provisions became effective on July 1, 2005.

What does compliance with Indicator 13 mean?

The State of New Hampshire reports statewide compliance with transition elements of Federal special education law by reporting district-level compliance with:

The percent of youth with IEPs aged 16 and above with an IEP that includes appropriate measurable postsecondary goals that are annually updated and based upon an age-appropriate transition assessment, transition services, including courses of study, that will reasonably enable the student to meet those postsecondary goals, and annual IEP goals related to the student’s transition services needs.

There also must be evidence that the student was invited to the IEP Team meeting where transition services are to be discussed and evidence that, if appropriate, a representative of any participating agency that is likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services, including, if appropriate, pre-employment transition services, was invited to the IEP Team meeting with the prior consent of the parent or student who has reached the age of majority.

Seven required components for compliance

The IEP that is in place when a student turns 16 is required to meet Indicator 13 requirements. This means being in compliance with all seven items on the Indicator 13 Checklist:

1. Postsecondary Goals: Is there an appropriate measurable postsecondary goal (MPSG) or goals that covers education or training, education, employment, and, as needed, independent living?
2. Transition Assessments: Is there evidence that the measurable postsecondary goals are annually updated and based upon an age-appropriate transition assessment?
3. Transition Services: Are there transition services in the IEP that will reasonably enable the student to meet his or her postsecondary goal(s)?
4. Course of Study: Do transition services include a course of study that will reasonably enable the student to meet his or her measurable postsecondary goal(s)?
5. Annual Goals: Is there at least one annual goal related to the student’s transition service needs?
6. Student Invitation: Is there evidence that the student was invited to his or her IEP Team meeting where one of the purposes was considering the postsecondary goals and transition services needed to assist in reaching those goals?
7. Invitation to Participating Agency: If appropriate, is there evidence that a representative of any participating agency was invited to the IEP Team meeting, with the prior consent of the parent or student who has reached the age of majority.

Transition Plan Flow Chart

There is an accessible text version of the Transition Plan Flow Chart below the image. — Adapted from Johnson, C. A. (2004). Transition Services Flow Chart.

Accessible version of the Transition Plan Flow Chart (PDF, 1 page)

New Hampshire’s added requirement for age 14

The New Hampshire Standard for the Education of Children with Disabilities adds a requirement to transition planning: An IEP that is in place in the year a student turns 14 must include a course of study. This is a state requirement, not a federal one, and so is not included in Indicator 13 compliance monitoring of school districts.

State data collection

New Hampshire collects Indicator 13 data using a checklist based on a tool created by the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC). New Hampshire Indicator 13 Compliance Checklist (2019)

Transition videos used in this module

The videos in this module feature interviews with Dr. Ed O’Leary, a national expert on IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) transition requirements. Dr. O'Leary was instrumental in helping New Hampshire teachers and administrators learn how to plan for, develop, and implement transition services for youth with disabilities. He is interviewed in the videos by Dr. Steve Bigaj at Keene State College.

These videos are designed for special educators, general education teachers, agency staff, parents, and advocates to deeply understand the transition requirements of the IEP, as well as the various options available to meet unique student needs.

Updated 6-4-26