The Dictionary of Education Terms: Individualized Education Program
What is an Individualized Education Program? An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is two things.
What is an Individualized Education Program?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is two things:
- A document that defines the academic goals and supports needed for a student who has a disability that affects their learning
- The program itself
An IEP is required for every student with such a disability.
An IEP includes:
- information about the student's current academic knowledge/abilities/skills
- information about the student's current functional performance (skills/abilities unrelated to educational performance—i.e., skills concerning routine, everyday activities)
- measurable goals for yearly progress
- an explanation of how these goals will be reported on and measured
- a list of resources that will be provided to the student, including special education services and aids
- A schedule of services to be provided
- If programs are to be modified or supports given, information about how this will work and how school personnel will be supported/affected
- an explanation of the amount of time the student will spend in special education vs. general education classes
- an explanation for any time the student will spend outside of general education classes
- accommodations to be offered to the student during state and district assessments
- a statement of the student's goals for life after high school and a plan to help her or him meet those goals
