Guardianship
As students move into high school, one of the topics that school districts will discuss with parents is guardianship. This discussion typically takes place in an ARD meeting and occurs during transition planning. A school district must inform the parents and the student of the “transfer of parental rights” concerning the ARD process. This notice should occur twice:
- At least one year before a student reaches age 18, the student’s IEP must include a statement that rights granted a parent, other than the right to receive notice required under IDEA, will transfer to student upon reaching age 18 unless someone has been granted guardianship of the student (TAC § 89.1049 (a)), and
- At the time the student reaches age 18, the school district must notify, in writing, the adult student and parent of the transfer of rights to the student (TAC § 89.1049 (c)). This notice is separate and distinct from the IEP statement noted above.
What this means is that at age 18, a student is considered an adult and all rights are transferred to that student. When a student reaches the age of majority (18), they are regarded as being able to make their own choices. This would include making choices about their education. Since an IEP is a like a contract, it can be enforced in a court. Therefore, an 18 year old student would be responsible for signing and agreeing to the IEP. Parents and students with disabilities must look at all options before deciding if the student is responsible enough for the task.
Note! The transfer of rights occurs regardless of your child’s disability label and/or level of need, unless you have made other legal arrangements.
Before making a decision, families should discuss what supports the student will need now, and in the future. A good way to get started with this may be through the person centered planning process. It is important that families complete this process BEFORE a student’s senior year.
Guardianship is a legal process designed to protect people at risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It removes rights and privileges from a person determined to be “incapacitated” under State law. The process involves the court system and an attorney. Guardianship may be full (whereby all rights and privileges are removed) or may be partial (where some rights are assigned to the person with a disability – like the right to vote, marry, or choose where they live).
Alternatives To Guardianship
For some students with disabilities, guardianship may be the only option. Yet, it is important for parents to know that guardianship is not the ONLY option which will allow them to actively participate in the ARD process after their child turns 18. In addition to guardianship, there are the following options:
- Power of Attorney
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Durable Power of Attorney over Health Care
- Directive to Physician
- Management of Community Property
- Money Management
- Social Security Representative Payment program
- Trusts
- Consent to Authorize Advocacy
It is important to note that if an alternative is chosen, the student should have an understanding of what the alternative implies; and the parents need to understand that if the adult student states “I don’t want you here” at some point, this could signify a revocation a Power of Attorney situation.
Parents should consult an attorney before deciding on any option. Each family (including the student) will need to decide what is best for their child.
Notices under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B
A school district shall provide any notice required under IDEA to BOTH the adult student and the parent. This notice doesn’t give the parent the right to consent to or participate in the proposal or refusal to which the notice relates.
For example – A notice of an ARD meeting would be sent to both the student and the parent. This does not constitute invitation to, or create right for parent to attend the meeting. It is important to remember that the members of the IEP team can include “other individuals that have knowledge or specific expertise regarding the child”. This means your adult child can invite you to participate in the meeting without having guardianship. While parents can attend, the students are the ones with decision making power and will be responsible for signing agreement with the IEP, not the parent.
For students whose disabilities make it inappropriate for them to make these types of educational decisions, parents must consider guardianship and the other options available to them to continue making legal decisions for their children.
If guardianship or other options are necessary, it is imperative that parents and students make these decisions and begin any process before the student turns 18. The guardianship process takes a great deal of time and requires the use of an attorney.
For more information on Guardianship and options:
Texas Guardianship Association
Advocacy Inc. Handout – Guardianship for Texans with Disabilities
The Arc of Texas – You can request a packet of information on Guardianship
The Arc of Houston, Information Packet on Guardianship
www.thearcofgreaterhouston.com/pdf/Guardianship%20final.doc
Imagine Enterprise - Self Determination Project – Re-Thinking Guardianship
The Legal Framework for the Child Centered Process
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) – Texas Aging Well
Your Local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) may also be able to assist with guardianship questions. Locate your AAA at: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/contact/combined.cfm
Consent to Authorize Advocacy – A sample form to use to with schools to authorize parents participation at ARD meetings; fromThe Univ. of Montana Rural Institute
Other Articles Worth Reading:
Eliminating the Pervasiveness of Guardianship
http://www.self-determination.com/articles/EliminatingThePervasivenessofGuadrianshipHoyle.pdf
Don Hoyle, TASH Connections September-October, 2005
Guardianship and the Disability Rights Movement
http://www.self-determination.com/articles/GuardianshipDisabilityRightsColemanNerney.pdf
Diane Coleman and Tom Nerney, TASH Connections September-October, 2005
Guardianship is not Self-Determination
http://e-epg.info/newsroom/files/not_selfdetermination.pdf
Kathy Harris, TASH Connection September-October, 2005
The Trust as an Alternative to Guardianship
http://www.self-determination.com/articles/TrustasAlternatoGuardWelber.pdf
Joel S. Welber, TASH Connections September-October, 2005
Guardianship Reform
Kathleen Harris, 2001
Re-Thinking Guardianship Reform
http://www.self-determination.com/articles/printrethinkguard.html
Don Hoyle and Kathleen Harris, 2001
Self-determination, Autonomy and Alternatives for Guardianship
http://www.self-determination.com/articles/herrPrint.pdf
Stanley S. Herr, Professor of Law, 2001
Challenging Incompetence
Thomas Nerney, 2000
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