Hawaii State Department of Education
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What is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written statement about the educational program for a child with a disability. It serves as a management tool used to ensure that the child receives the needed special education and related services. It also serves as an evaluation device when used to determine the extent of the child's progress toward accomplishing projected goals.
What is included in an IEP?
Each IEP must include the following:
- a statement of the child's present levels of educational performance;
- a statement of annual goals, including short-term instructional objectives;
- a statement of the specific special education and related services to be provided;
- the extent that the child will be able to participate in regular educational programs;
- the projected dates for initiation of services and the anticipated duration of the services; and
- appropriate objective criteria and evaluation procedures and schedules for determining, on at least an annual basis, whether the objectives are being achieved.
The IEP for each student, beginning no later than age 16 (and younger if appropriate) must include a statement of needed transition services.
When is an IEP developed?
A meeting to develop an IEP must be held within 30 calendar days of the date eligibility for services is determined.
An IEP must be in effect before special education and related services are provided to a child. The appropriate
placement cannot be determined until after determination of the child's needs and the type of services to be provided.
Since these determinations are made at an IEP meeting, the IEP must be developed before placement decisions are
made.
Who must be at the meeting held to develop an IEP?
The following participants need to be present at an IEP meeting:
- a representative of the public agency, other than the child's teacher, who is qualified to provide, or supervise the provision of, special education;
- the child's teacher;
- one or both of the child's parents;
- the child, if appropriate; and
- other individuals at the discretion of the parent or agency.
- the student; and
- a representative of any other agency that is likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services.
- a member of the evaluation team; or
- an IEP team member who is knowledgeable about the evaluation procedures used with the child and is familiar with the results of the evaluation.
How often should IEP meetings be held?
IEP meetings need to be held at least annually. Depending on the needs and progress of the child, meetings to review and revise may be held more frequently.
Who can initiate IEP meetings?
While IEP meetings are usually initiated and conducted by the school, it is appropriate for parents to request an IEP meeting when they believe their child is not progressing satisfactorily or they feel there is a problem with the current IEP.
Does the IEP include only special education and related services or does it describe the total education of the child?
The IEP is required to address only those areas concerned with the provision of special education and related services
and the extent that the child can participate in regular education programs. For some children, the IEP will address
a very limited part of the education, e.g. speech therapy. For others with more involved impairments, a greater
portion of the educational programming may be addressed in the IEP.
Is the IEP a performance contract?
No. The IEP is not a performance contract. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act does not require that the agency, the teacher, or other persons be held accountable if the child does not achieve the growth projected in the written statement.
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