Parents, advocates press Socorro ISD over early graduation and transition services for students with disabilities

Parents and community advocates urged the Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday to stop graduating students with disabilities at age 18 when, they said, transition planning and services required by their IEPs remain incomplete.

Speakers at the open‑forum portion of the meeting described a pattern of students being told they have “met goals” and will graduate at 18 even when families say those students lack basic life and job skills. Several Spanish‑speaking parents asked for translation and clearer communication around IEP meetings and ARD decisions.

Those who spoke said transition plans — which parents and advocates said must be developed beginning at age 14 — have not been produced or implemented for some students, and they asked that students be allowed to remain in SISD programs through age 21. Christina Sanchez, who said she is the legal guardian of an El Dorado High School student, told the board her granddaughter has not received a required transition plan and that “the IEP reports…