Overview of the IEP

Overview of the IEP

As a parent or guardian of a student receiving special education services, one of the more confusing aspects of the process is understanding what your child’s IEP (Individualized Education Program) is and how it works. In these next few lessons, we will help you understand the basics of the IEP.

The main purpose of an IEP is to establish annual goals for a student identified with a special education disability and define the related services and supplemental aids a child will need to access the general education curriculum.

Federal regulations require school districts complete the initial multidisciplinary evaluation within 60 days of the initial request. In some states, the deadlines are even shorter. After the evaluation is completed, the IEP team has 30 days to gather and review the evaluation results. If your child is eligible for special education services, you will work with your child’s service providers to create a written IEP.

Once established, IEPs remain in place for one calendar year unless the IEP team determines that more frequent meetings are necessary to address a student's special education needs. When more frequent meetings are called, the meetings are likely in response to a student’s change of placement, change of service times, or change in student needs. As a parent, you have a right to request a meeting at any time. For example, if you or your child has a concern regarding the services they are receiving or the progress they are making.

In addition to the IEP meeting, every three years, the student must be reevaluated for special education eligibility through a Multidisciplinary evaluation. If the school and parents agree that the student continues to be eligible for special education services, a full evaluation may not be necessary and the school may complete a determination notice. If you want to learn more about the special education identification process, we have another Boys Town texting series called “The Basics of Special Education” that you may want to join.

We also recommend that parents keep a copy of all communication with the school regarding your child’s IEP. This includes keeping a copy of the IEP and routine progress notes. By documenting when you communicate with your child’s school, you can help ensure that your child is receiving the services and support necessary to access the general education curriculum. Next, we will discuss the core components of the IEP document.

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