IEP

IEP or Individualized Education Program is a written document that's developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education. The IEP is created through a team effort and reviewed at least once a year.

Before an IEP can be written, the child must be evaluated by the school system to determine his or her specific needs. This evaluation is often called a special education evaluation or a psychoeducational assessment.

Purpose of an IEP

The main purpose of an IEP is to ensure that a child with a disability has access to the general education curriculum and makes progress in that curriculum. The IEP outlines the unique needs of the student and the specific strategies the school will use to address those needs.

Components of an IEP

An IEP includes the following components:

• Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP): This section describes the child's current abilities, skills, weaknesses, and strengths.

• Annual Goals: These are goals that the child can reasonably accomplish in a year. The goals are broken down into short-term objectives or benchmarks.

• Special Education Services: This section describes the special education services the child will receive.

• Supplementary Aids and Services: These are aids and services that the child needs to progress in the general education curriculum.

• Participation with Nondisabled Children: This section describes the extent to which the child will not participate with nondisabled children in the regular class and other activities.

• Dates and Places: This section lists the projected date for the beginning of services and the frequency, location, and duration of those services.

• Transition Service Needs: This section outlines the courses the child needs to take to reach his or her post-school goals.

• Age of Majority: This section includes a statement that the child has been informed of his or her rights under Part B of IDEA, if any, that will transfer to the child on reaching the age of majority.

IEP Team

The IEP team includes the following members:

• The child's parents or guardians
• At least one of the child's special education teachers
• At least one of the child's general education teachers
• A representative of the school system
• An individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results
• Other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise about the child
• The child, when appropriate

See Also

• Special Education
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Learning Disability
• Special Education Services

IEP Resources
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