When a student graduates from high school with a regular diploma or “ages out” of special education, IDEA requires a “summary of academic achievement and functional performance.” The Summary of Performance (SOP) should include recommendations about ways to help meet post-secondary goals. 

The SOP must be completed during the final year of a student’s high school education and is most useful when completed during the transition IEP process when the student has the opportunity to actively participate in the development of this document. The document should contain the most updated information on the performance of the student and include both the student’s abilities and aspirations.

IDEA 2004:

(ii)Summary of performance – For a child who eligibility under this part terminates under circumstance described in clause (i), a local educational agency shall provide the child with summary of the child’s academic achievement and functional performance, which shall include recommendations on how to assist the child in meeting the child’s postsecondary goals. 1414(c)(5)(B)(ii)

The requirements for the SOP are found in the Federal Regulations at 34 CFR §300.305(e)(3). 

Guidelines for Graduating Seniors IEP/NOREPs/Summaries

If the required annual review of a Senior student’s IEP is due during the last two months of the school year, and THERE IS NO CHANGE IN SERVICES FOR THOSE TWO MONTHS, then a Final IEP/NOREP/Summary meeting may be held.

If the Senior Student’s IEP is due before the last two months of the school year, a new Annual Review IEP must be written, and the IEP developed and effective for 365 days, if any change in service is needed for the remainder of the Senior student’s school year (even within the last two month time frame) a new Annual Review must be written. 

IEP meetings are to be held in the last two months of the school year for all Graduating Seniors. At this meeting a graduation NOREP and Graduation Summary along with the IEP that indicates the end date for services is presented to parents.