Individual Education Plans (IEPs): The 5 W's
Who?
A federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that public schools create an IEP for every child receiving special education services.
What?
An IEP is a legal document that consists of many different kinds of information about a student. It includes:
When?
An IEP is initially developed after it has been determined by the educational team that the student qualifies for special education. This document is in place for a three-year period. Within this three-year period, the student's educational team meets annually to evaluate student progress, write new goals as needed, and make any other adjustments to services as appropriate. At the end of the three-year period, the student is reevaluated for special education services to determine whether or not the student continues to qualify for services, and if so, under which disability category.
Where?
A student's placement within special education is determined by his/her educational team and is based on his/her educational needs. Students may be serviced in a variety of settings. These may include, but are not limited to:
Why?
The purpose of an IEP is to define a student's educational plan and to ensure that the student receives the services and accommodations he/she is entitled to due to his/her disability. It is a legal document.
Who?
A federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that public schools create an IEP for every child receiving special education services.
What?
An IEP is a legal document that consists of many different kinds of information about a student. It includes:
- student's name/birthdate
- parents/guardians names
- demographic information
- student's special education eligibility and related services
- data from past and current evaluations
- student's present levels of academic and functional performance
- academic and functional goals written for the student by his/her educational team
- modifications and accommodations the student requires
- assessment information for district and state testing
- information regarding how much time the student will spend in general education and/or special education
- information regarding where the student will receive these services
When?
An IEP is initially developed after it has been determined by the educational team that the student qualifies for special education. This document is in place for a three-year period. Within this three-year period, the student's educational team meets annually to evaluate student progress, write new goals as needed, and make any other adjustments to services as appropriate. At the end of the three-year period, the student is reevaluated for special education services to determine whether or not the student continues to qualify for services, and if so, under which disability category.
Where?
A student's placement within special education is determined by his/her educational team and is based on his/her educational needs. Students may be serviced in a variety of settings. These may include, but are not limited to:
- his/her general education classroom
- a special education resource room, where a student might go for individualized, small group instruction
- a therapy room, where a student might go for speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, or social work services
- a self-contained special education classroom in a separate school, for a student who may need more academic or behavioral support
- a separate school for special education with emotional difficulties
Why?
The purpose of an IEP is to define a student's educational plan and to ensure that the student receives the services and accommodations he/she is entitled to due to his/her disability. It is a legal document.