Explaining the Basics of an IEP Procedure

• Child Study Team (CST): 

If the parent or teacher have any concerns about the student throughout their academic day a CST will be requested. Teachers, OT, SLP, school psychologist, counselor, etc. will collect data about the student’s school day and troubleshoot as a team. Once decided the student needs more support next steps will be taken.

• Evaluation: Builds the foundation for the IEP

Your students school team will spend hours observing your student at school gathering data about potential disability and how that affects the students’ academic day. Parent and all relevant teachers and service providers input will be gathered as well.

• Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP): 

All about where the student presently is and what are their strengths and areas needing growth. Collecting accurate data is key to get a baseline to inform the IEP meeting.

• IEP meeting:

Occurs at least 1 time a year with a team of school district staff members that work with your student. As a team you will: 

• confirm need for an IEP 

• Set obtainable and measurable goals for academic and social emotional progress

• Annual Goals: 

A clear, measurable target that outlines what a student is expected to achieve in a specific area within the span of the IEP year. Should include: Clarity of purpose, roadmap for instruction, progress monitoring, tools for communication and celebration of the student. 

• Accommodations and Modifications: Finding the right balance and supports. 

Accommodations=changes in how a student learns or is assessed. Modifications= change what a student is expected to learn or how they are assessed. 

• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): Finding the perfect balance of support and inclusion for each unique learner. 

Providing students with disabilities an education in the setting most like that of their non-disabled peers in which they can still succeed. 

• Service Delivery: 

Using strategically designed supports to unlock the student’s full potential these include: Specially designed instruction (SDI), related services (speech, OT, PT, counseling etc.), Accommodations and Modifications, Assistive Technology (speech to text, AAC, etc.)

• Procedural Safeguards: Ensuring legal protections for parents, students and schools.

Here are some key procedural safeguards: Prior Written Notice, Informed Consent, Access to Educational Records, Independent Educational Evaluations, Dispute Resolution, Stay-Put Provision and Discipline Protections. 

• Consistent Advocacy:

Throughout entire process and school year work as a TEAM to create a positive, celebratory environment for the student! As a parent you can always call for additional meetings with the whole team. You can also ask for items to be amended in the IEP if things need to be changed. As a parent you can also bring an advocate to all IEP meetings to help support you through the process! 

Terminology and Resources pulled from the 

‘The Epic IEP: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates Navigating the Special Education Process’

Written by Karen Mayer Cunningham