What is an Individualized Education Program?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is two things:
- A document that defines the academic goals and supports needed for a student who has a disability that affects their learning
- The program itself
An IEP is required for every student with such a disability.
An IEP includes:
- information about the student's current academic knowledge/abilities/skills
- information about the student's current functional performance (skills/abilities unrelated to educational performance—i.e., skills concerning routine, everyday activities)
- measurable goals for yearly progress
- an explanation of how these goals will be reported on and measured
- a list of resources that will be provided to the student, including special education services and aids
- A schedule of services to be provided
- If programs are to be modified or supports given, information about how this will work and how school personnel will be supported/affected
- an explanation of the amount of time the student will spend in special education vs. general education classes
- an explanation for any time the student will spend outside of general education classes
- accommodations to be offered to the student during state and district assessments
- a statement of the student's goals for life after high school and a plan to help her or him meet those goals
