An Individualized Education Program, or IEP, is a legally binding document created for every child in the United States who qualifies for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IEP describes your child's current level of performance, sets measurable annual goals, and outlines the specific services, supports, and accommodations the school must provide. The school is legally required to implement everything written in the IEP at no cost to your family.
Who Qualifies for an IEP?
To qualify for an IEP, a child must meet two conditions. First, they must have one of 13 disability categories recognized under IDEA: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, or Visual Impairment including Blindness. Second, the disability must adversely affect educational performance in a way that requires specially designed instruction.
Who Is on the IEP Team?
The IEP team must include: at least one regular education teacher, at least one special education teacher, a school district representative who can authorize services, someone who can interpret evaluation results such as a school psychologist, the parent or guardian, and the child when appropriate. Related service providers such as a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist may also attend.
What Is in an IEP?
Every IEP must include: a statement of the child's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), measurable annual goals, a description of special education and related services to be provided, an explanation of how much time the child will spend with non-disabled peers, how the child will participate in state assessments, and when and how parents will receive progress reports.