Basics of Special Education: IEP

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

The IEP Process At A Glance

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Encourage parents to provide a written statement to the IEP team of their concerns about their child's academic, developmental, and functional needs.

Use of technology can facilitate access to the general education curriculum by allowing students to bypass basic skills deficits.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) means a written statement for a child with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in a meeting in accordance with §§300.341-300.350

The purpose of an IEP is to share information and to plan for the coming year. There is an IEP meeting at least once a year; however, any member of the IEP team may request a meeting at any time.

What are the Factors for Consideration in Developing the IEP?

A student's IEP has always been guided by the consideration of several important factors. These are:

The strengths of the child.
The concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child.
The vision the parent has for enhancing the child's education.
The needs of the child identified through the initial evaluation or most recent re-evaluation of the child including academic, developmental, and functional needs.

Special Factors

The following must also be considered when developing the IEP.

Behavior
For a child whose behavior impedes the child's learning or that of others, the team must consider the use of positive behavioral interventions, supports, and other strategies to address that behavior.
English Language Learners
The language needs of the child needs must be considered.
Visually Impaired
Instruction in Braille needs must be considered.
Deaf of Hard of Hearing
Language and communication needs must be considered.
All Children
The need for assistive technology devices and services must be considered. IEP teams must consider whether the child needs assistive technology, instead of whether the child requires assistive technology—a change that creates a more expansive opportunity.

The Basics of Special Education