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Documenting Your Child’s Educational Needs and Services

Student working with teacher

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written statement for a student eligible for special education that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with state and federal laws. The IEP guides your student's learning while in special education. It describes the amount of time that your student will spend receiving special education, any related services your student will receive, and the academic/behavioral goals and expectations for the year.

Your student's IEP team will meet at least once a year to talk about your student’s progress and make any needed changes to the program. The required members of your student’s IEP team includes:

Overall, the IEP team is responsible for identifying and evaluating your student, developing, reviewing, and/or revising your student's IEP, and determining the placement or setting where your student will receive her/his special education services in accordance with the IEP.

  1. The student's parent(s) or guardian(s);
  2. At least one of the student's general education teachers (if s/he is participating or could possibly participate in general education);
  3. At least one special education teacher;
  4. A representative of the school district who is (1) qualified to provide, or supervises the provision of, specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, and (2) is knowledgeable about the general curriculum and the availability of resources within the district;
  5. An individual who can interpret evaluation results and the related instructional implications;
  6. Other individuals, at the discretion of the parent or the district, who have knowledge or special expertise regarding your student, including related services personnel, if appropriate; and
  7. Your student, if appropriate.