My child is struggling 
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The IEP Team Must Also Discuss Specific Information About the Child. This Includes:
- the child's strengths;
- the parents' ideas for enhancing their child's education;
- the results of recent evaluations or reevaluations; and
- how the child has done on state and district-wide tests.
Depending on the needs of the child, the IEP team also needs to consider special factors, which include behavioral issues, limited proficiency in English, blindness or visual impairment, communication needs, deafness or difficulty hearing, and assistive technology.
It Is Important That the Discussion of What the Child Needs Be Framed Around How to Help the Child:
- advance toward the annual goals;
- be involved in and progress in the general curriculum;
- participate in extracurricular and nonacademic activities; and
- be educated with and participate with other children with disabilities and non-disabled children.
Based on the above discussion, the IEP team will then write the child's IEP. This includes the services and supports the school will provide for the child. If the IEP team decides that a child needs a particular device or service (including an intervention, accommodation, or other program modification), the IEP team must write this information in the IEP.
After the IEP Is Written
When the IEP has been written, parents must receive a copy at no cost to themselves. Everyone who will be involved in implementing the IEP must have access to the document. This includes the child's:
- regular education teacher(s);
- special education teacher(s);
- related service provider(s) (for example, speech therapist); or
- any other service provider (such as a paraprofessional) who will be responsible for a part of the child's education.
Each of these individuals needs to know what his or her specific responsibilities are for carrying out the child's IEP. This includes the specific accommodations, modifications, and supports that the child must receive, according to the IEP.
Parents Permission
Before the school can provide a child with special education and related services for the first time, the child's parents must give their written permission.
For more information, visit the IDEA Guide — especially its chapter on Individualized Education Programs.
Additional ResourcesQuestions and Answers on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Adapted from the Guide to the Individualized Education Program, by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education.
