Among countless students going through the education system, some may have unique needs that require a different approach. Fortunately, federal and state laws have provisions allowing educators and parents to develop appropriate ways to address these needs through an individualized education program (IEP).
An IEP involves a process that provides assessments, services, placement and goals, among other components, formulated to meet the student’s educational needs. Parents and educators form a team to establish these details in a written document during the IEP meeting.
IEP team members
The development of an IEP document is a serious matter, considering how it impacts a student’s educational progress and experiences for an extended period. To help address all areas that may be relevant, the IEP team responsible for this task typically involves the following people:
- The parents or guardian of the student
- A general education teacher
- A special education teacher
- Special education related service providers who specialize in areas where the student requires services (i.e., speech/language and occupational therapy)
- One or more school district representatives
- Assessors who evaluated the student to interpret assessment results
- Other professionals qualified to participate based on their area of expertise
- The student can also participate in an IEP meeting when appropriate
- Private assessors or service providers
Fully understanding the IEP process
The IEP process can be overwhelming for students and their parents alike. Still, each step is crucial to creating an appropriate IEP related to the student’s needs. With adequate planning and support, all IEP team members can contribute to the child’s educational progress holistically.