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What Is an IEP? IEP 101


Published: Jan. 19, 2022Updated: Sep. 23, 2024

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​​​​​​​An Individualized Education Program, or IEP, is central to any families’ experience of special education. The IEP meeting is where you will meet with your school team and build a plan for your child’s special education goals and services, which — true to the “individualized” in its name — should be tailored to your child’s unique needs. The plan becomes a legal agreement between you and your school that must be followed.

Definition of an IEP in special education

An IEP outlines services and supports that the school or district will provide, at no cost to the student’s family, to ensure that the student has access to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and that their individual needs are met. Every child who receives special education services must have an IEP.

In the clip below, Undivided's Education Advocate Lisa Carey provides a brief explanation of this important document:

Who is eligible for an IEP?

A child is eligible for an IEP if they meet the criteria for one of thirteen eligibility categories and if they cannot make adequate progress in school without special education services. Here's a breakdown of each category.

If a student is not eligible for an IEP, they may still qualify for a 504 plan. (Learn more about the differences between a 504 plan and an IEP here.)

Who writes an IEP?

After a formal assessment has been conducted by the school or district, the IEP team is created. This group of individuals includes key school staff and the child’s parent(s). The team will meet and review the assessments and any other relevant information about the child. If it is determined that the student is eligible for special educational services, the team will design a program to address the child’s educational needs that result from their disability. Remember that parents are the most important members of an IEP team and have a right to fully participate. Read about the IEP team’s key players and their roles.

How are students assessed for an IEP?

In order to qualify for an IEP, a student must receive an initial full assessment. A full assessment is a multidisciplinary set of assessments conducted by a school psychologist, special education teacher, and any additional related service providers who are relevant to the student’s disability — these can include speech, occupational, behavioral, vision, and physical therapists, and more. A parent can request an assessment of their child at any time. (Here is a sample letter parents can use to request an assessment for an IEP.)

If a student qualifies for special education services, a full reassessment must be conducted every three years (called a triennial assessment) to ensure that they still qualify for special education services. A child’s IEP must also be reviewed once a year at minimum to determine whether the annual goals are being achieved or must be revised. Read more about the types of assessments conducted for IEPs.

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Request an educational assessment
Children with disabilities who struggle with accessing education can be assessed for supportive services. Learn how to request this assessment for your child.

When is the IEP developed?

After you sign an assessment plan, your school has 60 days to perform an assessment and hold an IEP meeting. This meeting will firstly determine by reviewing the assessments that your child has one or more of the qualifying diagnoses listed in IDEA and needs special education and related services. In practice, if your child is eligible, the team will also develop an IEP at this meeting. If it takes longer, the team will reconvene on another date. Read more about IEP timelines and the steps involved.

What are the components of an IEP?

An IEP includes the following:

We break all of these down in our article on key parts of an IEP.

What is a strength-based IEP?

A strength-based IEP prioritizes a child’s strengths by focusing on and utilizing the skills they already have rather than focusing on their deficits. This helps educators develop appropriately challenging goals and objectives in their curriculum, and ensures that the services and supports provided for your child will work to actively enhance skills and eliminate barriers to learning.

Learn how to build an IEP from your child’s strengths. You can begin the process by writing a vision statement to share with the IEP team.

How do I prepare for an IEP meeting?

First, make sure you’ve got all the essential documents you will need at the meeting – review this IEP meeting checklist. Here are several more tips to help you get ready for the IEP meeting.

Downloadable free guide to IEP meeting prep with templates

How do I review the IEP?

Before you leave the meeting or shortly after, the district will provide you with the completed IEP document for your review and signature. While reviewing the document, make a note of anything that is inaccurate or doesn’t match your understanding. Read our article on how to review your IEP and what you can do if you disagree with all or parts of it.

What if I disagree with the IEP?

If you disagree with the IEP team’s assessment, placement, goals, services, or supports, speak up during the IEP meeting. Ask that your objections be included in the narrative or the parent notes. After the meeting, review your IEP and decide whether to sign it and which parts you agree with. If you agree with some parts but disagree with others, you may want to sign partially so that the parts of the IEP that you agree with can be implemented while you resolve your dispute. If attempts at alternative dispute resolution or mediation do not work, you have the right to file a due process complaint and have your case heard by an administrative law judge.

How do I make sure the IEP is being followed?

There are several steps you can take to make sure your child’s IEP is being followed and that they are getting the services, accommodations, and focus on goals that the team agreed to. Request progress reports, speak with service providers and teachers (and your child), visit your child’s classroom, and know what you can do to take action if you discover the IEP isn’t being followed. Read our article on how to follow up on your IEP for more information.
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Ensure my child's IEP is being followed
Learn how to follow up with everyone on your child's IEP team to make sure the accommodations and services are being provided as written in the IEP.

Contents


Overview

Definition of an IEP in special education

Who is eligible for an IEP?

Who writes an IEP?

How are students assessed for an IEP?

When is the IEP developed?

What are the components of an IEP?

What is a strength-based IEP?

How do I prepare for an IEP meeting?

How do I review the IEP?

What if I disagree with the IEP?

How do I make sure the IEP is being followed?
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Author

Undivided Editorial TeamStaff

Reviewed by Undivided Editorial Team

Contributor: Dr. Caitlin Solone, Education advocate, teacher-educator, and Academic Administrator for the Disability Studies program at UCLA


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