Legal Definitions - IEP

An IEP stands for Individualized Education Program.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legally required written plan for public school students in the United States who have a disability. Developed collaboratively by parents, teachers, and school specialists, the IEP outlines a student's current academic performance, sets specific educational goals, and details the specialized instruction, accommodations, and related services the school will provide to help the student achieve those goals.

The primary purpose of an IEP is to ensure that students with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and have the opportunity to learn and progress in the general education curriculum alongside their peers without disabilities, to the maximum extent appropriate.

Here are a few examples illustrating how an IEP works in different situations:

• Example 1: Supporting a student with a learning disability

  Imagine a fifth-grader named Alex who has been diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disability that primarily affects reading. Alex struggles to decode words and comprehend complex texts at his grade level. Through an IEP, Alex's educational team identifies his specific reading challenges and sets goals for improving his fluency and comprehension. The IEP might stipulate that Alex receives specialized reading instruction for 30 minutes daily in a small group setting, uses text-to-speech software for longer assignments, and gets extended time on tests. This illustrates how the IEP provides tailored instruction and accommodations to address Alex's unique learning needs, enabling him to access the curriculum and work towards grade-level reading skills.

• Example 2: Accommodating a student with a physical disability

  Consider Sarah, a high school student who uses a wheelchair due to a physical disability. While academically capable, she faces challenges navigating the school building and participating in certain physical activities. Her IEP would detail necessary accommodations such as ensuring all her classes are on an accessible floor or that elevator access is consistently available. It might also include provisions for a personal aide to assist with transitions between classes, adapted physical education classes, or occupational therapy sessions during the school day to maintain her mobility and independence. This example shows how an IEP addresses physical barriers and provides support services to ensure Sarah can fully participate in all aspects of her high school experience.

• Example 3: Assisting a student with social-emotional needs

  Liam is a seventh-grader with Autism Spectrum Disorder who excels in math and science but struggles with social interactions, understanding non-verbal cues, and managing sensory overload in noisy environments. His IEP would include goals focused on developing social communication skills and self-regulation strategies. The plan might specify weekly social skills group sessions, a designated quiet space for sensory breaks during the school day, visual schedules to help him anticipate transitions, and support from a school counselor to help him navigate social situations. This demonstrates how an IEP can provide targeted interventions and environmental modifications to support a student's social-emotional development and help them thrive in the school setting.