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Student Project: Individualized Education Programs: Plan Creation

This guide provides a collection of freely available web resources (as well as resources available through Westlaw and Lexis) that cover various areas of Individualized Education Programs, including eligibility and evaluation, the program creation process

The IEP Team

20 USC § 1414(d)(1)(B)

The IEP team consists of:

  • The parent(s)
  • The child's regular education teacher
  • The child's special education teacher
  • A school representative who is qualified to provide or supervise the IEP, has knowledge of the general education curriculum, and has knowledge of the available resources within the district
  • An individual qualified to interpret the results of the evaluation
  • At the parent's or school's discretion, other individuals who have knowledge regarding the child
  • The child, when appropriate

The IEP Meeting

20 USC § 1414(d)

The IEP team should meet to develop the IEP by the beginning of the school year. The IEP meeting must happen at least once a year.

The IEP

20 USC § 1414(d)

The IEP team will use the results of the child's evaluation to design the child's individual education plan. Private evaluations or IEE may be considered at this point of the process. An IEP must include the child's present level of academic performance and annual goals set for the child. Additionally, the IEP must also include an explanation of how those goals are to be reached such as through individualized instruction and related services. 

IEPs are not designed to provide equal access to the general curriculum. Instead, IEPs are designed so that the child can meet their goals regardless of whether that means performing at grade level or not. Once the IEP is designed, if the parent does not agree with any part of it, the parent has the right to decline the IEP or negotiate changes.