What is an "IEP"?

IEP--Individual Education Plan

An IEP is a plan written to help an individual student who learns differently than other students whether that be for a learning disability, a speech impediment, a vision problem, or some other health impairment.

One time, I had a parent enroll their kid in the 7th grade and we asked for her to fill out the request to transfer records from the other school to ours. I asked the parent if we needed to request paperwork for an IEP to be transfered. The parent said, "What's that?" I replied, "An individual plan for a student who is recieving special services." The parent hollered, "Nope! My kids aren't all retarded and stupid and needing one of those." I held back some choice words and said, "An IEP is for kids who learn differently than other kids. It has nothing to do with intelligence. In fact, kids who are not intelligent and are working at their level won't qualify for special services." The lady left, but I don't think she understood. I turned around and my secretary was so mad she was almost purple. The kids she really watched out for were the special education students and it took all of her professional control to not jump across the counter and jack-slap that parent.

So, we know an IEP is not something written for stupid children. The plan is used to address differences in learning needs that the regular classroom may or may not be able to provide. For example, a kid is failing reading. The teacher has tried several different ways to help this student, but nothing seems to work. The teacher or the parent might refer the student for evaluation. The evaluation will either reveal that the student is performing at their ability level or that they have an ability level higher than what they are demonstrating in their class work. If the gap between ability and the performance we actually see is big enough, then the school will develop an IEP to address the learning needs of the child.

The IEP is written by the IEP Team. The team consists of an administrator from the school, the special education teacher, the regular classroom teacher, the parent, and if age appropriate, the student. The majority of the team has to agree on provisions of the IEP for it to be accepted for the student.

The plan consists of: a review of the achievement data and observations of the child; goals with targets for improvement written specifically for that child; specific accommodations that the classroom teacher and special education teacher will use to help the child meet their goals.

The parent is an important aspect of this process, but just because the parent wants it doesn't mean the school is required to provide it. The team format allows the group of professional educators to get input from the family since they know the child best...but, again, the school employees are trained, professional educators with many combined years of experience. The parent may appeal the IEP and can get an advocate from an advocacy group to help them navigate these waters if necessary.

Usually, the school has sought legal guidance during the proceedings and has ensured they have done everything properly so as to not be sued. Special education litigation is one of the quickest ways a school can land in a lawsuit.