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An IEP is required by law for eligible public school children with recognized disabilities. The purpose is to provide specialized care at school. A team develops a personalized plan addressing specific areas of difficulty, with accommodations such as one-on-one instruction. Parents can request an independent evaluation if they disagree with the results.
An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, applies to children enrolled in eligible public schools. An IEP is required by law when a child is identified as having a recognized disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as defined by the United States Department of Education.
The purpose of an IEP is to provide a disabled child with specialized or individualized care at school. In order for an IEP to be developed for a child, school staff must first evaluate the child and identify a qualifying disability. While the assessment can be initiated by a parent or teacher, the assessment cannot be performed without parental consent. Even if a specific disability, such as hearing loss, is suspected, an assessment of a disability should include all areas of the child’s development.
Once a child has been assessed as having a qualifying disability, a team consisting most often of the classroom teacher, special education teachers, speech or hearing therapists as needed, and any administrators who may have relevant knowledge of a specific disability will develop a PEI for the student. The key to any IEP is individualization, so each IEP should be designed specifically for an individual child. There are certain elements of an IEP that may remain the same for every child, as some aspects of the program work well across the board, but the IEP as a whole is designed specifically for each child.
The actual development and implementation of an IEP can vary from state to state and even district to district, depending on education laws, school funding, and personnel. Typically, an IEP is developed in a written plan that addresses specific areas of difficulty the student is experiencing and what accommodations will be made to assist the child in those areas. The plan may include one-on-one or additional classroom instruction or individualized homework assignments. The class teacher, along with other specialized staff members, the parents and the child, work together to develop and implement the IEP into a workable daily routine for the benefit of the child.
In the event that parents request an evaluation for an IEP and then disagree with the results, they are entitled to an independent evaluation. Some districts lack funding for specialized teachers and programs, and it can affect the timeliness of an evaluation. If you suspect your child has a disability that is interfering with their academic progress, it is your right to pursue an evaluation and receive one in a timely manner. If the district does not conduct an assessment in a timely manner, you may also have the right to have an independent assessment at the district’s expense.
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