Discontinuing Special Education Services

Summary of Performance

A Summary of Performance (SOP) is required under the reauthorization of the IDEA for a student whose eligibility for special education services terminates due to graduation with a South Carolina High School Diploma, completion of the High School Employability Credential, or due to exceeding the age of eligibility. The district must provide the Parent, Guardian, Age of Majority Student with a summary of the student’s academic achievement and functional performance which must include recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting the student’s postsecondary goals (34 CFR § 300.305(e)(3)). The purpose of the SOP is to transfer critical information that leads to the student’s successful participation in postsecondary settings. It includes a summary of the achievements of the student with current academic, personal, and career/vocational levels of performance.

The SOP is intended to assist the student in transitioning from high school to higher education, training and/or employment. This information is helpful under Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in establishing a student’s eligibility for reasonable accommodations and supports in postsecondary settings. It is also useful for the Vocational Rehabilitation Comprehensive Assessment process. However, recommendations in a student’s SOP do not assure that an individual who qualified for special education in high school will automatically qualify for accommodations in a postsecondary education or employment setting.

The SOP must, at a minimum, address the following:

• Academic achievement: Information on reading, math, and language grade levels, standardized scores, or strengths.


• Functional performance: Information on learning styles, social skills, independent living skills, self-determination, and career/vocational skills.


• Recommendations: Team suggestions for accommodations, assistive services, compensatory strategies for postsecondary education, employment, independent living, and community participation.

Since the SOP must be provided to the student with a disability whose eligibility terminates due to graduation or age, it is reasonable to conclude that the SOP must be completed and provided to the student by the end of the final year of a student’s high school education. That does not mean, however, that it cannot be completed and provided to the student prior to graduation. For students at high schools that operate on a block schedule, or students completing requirements during the first semester of school, the SOP should be completed through the IEP meeting process prior to the end of the first semester. Completing the SOP at this time is most appropriate in that both the IEP team members and the student’s information would be familiar and current. The timing of completion of the SOP may vary depending on the student’s postsecondary goals. If a student is transitioning to higher education, the SOP may be necessary when the student applies to a college or university. Likewise, this information may be necessary as a student applies for services from state agencies such as Vocational Rehabilitation. In some instances, it may be most appropriate to wait until the end of a student’s final semester of eligibility for special education and related services to provide an agency or employer the most updated information on the performance of the student.

Upon the student graduating with the Employability Credential, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team must complete a Summary of Performance (SOP) and a Prior Written Notice (PWN). The SOP and PWN (Other Relevant Factors section) should include a statement conveying that the student plans to exit high school before earning a high school diploma, but that he or she may return to school to meet his or her postsecondary goals, work on functional skills, or earn a high school diploma until their twenty-first birthday (34 C.F.R. Section 300.530(d).

The Summary of Performance document will be completed in conjunction with an IEP meeting to ensure that the contents of the summary are explained to the Parent/Guardian/ Age of Majority Student. Thus, a Notice of Meeting document must be provided to the Parent/Guardian/Age of Majority Student prior to the review of this information, and all required IEP team participants must be present.

Prior to the IEP meeting, the Case Manager will complete the draft Transition Summary of Performance document to present at the meeting for team discussion. The Case Manager will provide the Parent/Guardian/Age of Majority Student with a copy of the Final Summary of Performance document as well as the Prior Written Notice. Scan and upload signed documents from the meeting in the IEP software system.

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