IEP Process & Key Terms

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

Under IDEA, children with disabilities can access their free appropriate public education at the public’s expense.

Referral Process (Child Find)

A referral process begins when a teacher feels the student has trouble in the classroom. They will then contact the counselor, psychologist, and parent to schedule a conference. The teacher will explain the problems or observations to the parent and determine how to address the issues. Parents may also make a referral for their child.

Evaluation Process 

Before an evaluation can be done, parents must give their permission. Once the permission is granted, your student will be tested in all areas of concern using various tools and strategies to gather functional, developmental, and academic information. All testing will be done by trained and knowledgeable personnel at the expense of the local education agency (your child’s school district).

Eligibility Determination

The purpose of an IEP eligibility meeting is to determine whether your child qualifies for special education services and an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Parent and Student Involvement

Parents (and when appropriate your student) are to be involved in the development, review, and revision of the IEP. The parent will be included in the decision on areas of testing, reviewing of the data and eventual decision on services provided or placement of student depending on the results of evaluation.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Learners with disabilities should learn alongside typical learners in the classroom. A child should only be removed from the general classroom if their disability needs are not being adequately met in the general education setting.

Related Services

These services include transportation and developmental, corrective, and supportive services such as physical and speech therapy.

Quarterly Processing Monitoring 

Each Progress monitoring is a scientific practice used to assess your child’s academic progress and evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. The teacher may test your child often. The teacher creates progress graphs that show your child’s progress toward the IEP goals.

Annual Review Process

Each year the IEP Team is required to review the students existing IEP and present program.

Procedural Safeguards

As the parent of the student, you are entitled to written notice of all IEP meetings, access to student’s records, prior notice when school would like to change the educational placement of your child, and the ability to request a change to your student’s educational program.

Prior Written Notice

A legal right guaranteed to parents of children with IEP’s; it requires the school to send any proposed changes in your child’s IEP; it requires the school to send notification if the school denies a parent request.