NYC has posted a notice of a proposed settlement in a class action focused on transition services for students with IEPs ages 14 to 21. The notice describes the case as addressing transition services for eligible NYC students—an area that can be pivotal for postsecondary readiness, vocational supports, and independent living outcomes.
For many families, transition planning becomes contentious because it sits at the intersection of:
- specialized instruction,
- related services,
- functional goals,
- and (often) disagreements about whether the school’s plan is specific enough to be meaningful.
And when transition services are weak or missing, families sometimes pursue private evaluations, private programming, or outside supports—raising questions about compensatory services or, in some cases, reimbursement-related remedies depending on the dispute posture.
What to do if your child is 14+ with an IEP:
- Review whether the IEP includes transition goals/services aligned to your child’s needs (not generic boilerplate).
- Ask for measurable postsecondary goals and concrete service delivery details.
- If you’re not seeing progress, request a meeting early—don’t wait for annual review.
This is a moment where policy, litigation, and day-to-day practice may converge, so it’s a good time to audit IEP quality for your teen clients and your own caseload.
