Summary of Performance

by Kristi Arlt

When a student graduates from high school with a regular diploma or “ages out” of special education (at age 21 students are no longer eligible for a free and appropriate education including services and support), IDEA requires the school to provide a summary of academic achievement and functional performance, which is called the Summary of Performance.

The summary of performance is a description of a student's academic achievement and functional performance that includes recommendations to assist him or her in meeting post-secondary goals. The summary may include the information and documentation of your child's abilities and disabilities that will be necessary to access supports and services in post-school activities, such as higher education. It should provide specific, meaningful and understandable information to your child, your family, and any agency, including post-secondary schools that may provide services to your child after high school.

Your child will want to check with the Disability Services Office at post-secondary schools and with community services agencies to identify any specific information or documentation needed to qualify for support services.

While schools are not required to conduct any new tests or evaluations in order to provide the summary of performance, you and your child should work with the school so that the information provided will be adequate to satisfy the disability documentation required to qualify him or her as a person with a disability under other federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The IEP team should discuss what is needed to be included in your child's summary of performance prior to termination of special education services. You should bring up this topic if the IEP team has not already addressed it. It is important to ensure that the information provided in the summary will satisfy any requirements connected with your child's post-school goals. You and your child should specifically request any needed information that is not provided.