What is an individualized education plan (IEP)?

An individualized education plan (IEP) is a document developed by a team of educators, parents, and the student (if the student is age 16 or older) which outlines appropriate educational goals and the services necessary to meet those goals. It is tailored to the individual needs of a student with a disability in order to ensure that they receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and helps to ensure the student’s success in an educational setting. According to Delaware disability law, whenever a student’s disability affects their educational performance, they are eligible for an IEP. All IEPs must be created within 30 days of the child’s initial eligibility and must be rewritten at least once per year. The IEP team (which, in Delaware, must consist of the child’s parent or guardian, the child’s teacher, the school principal or designee, and other members as appropriate) is responsible for considering the child’s strengths and weaknesses, any special learning needs they may have, and the educational services they need. The IEP must have a statement of the student’s present levels of academic performance and a set of measurable goals and objectives that the student must reach in order to make progress towards their educational goals. The IEP must also include the specific special educational services that the student will receive as well as the placement for those services. It should also contain a statement of any services that will be provided outside of school. The IEP is an important document as it gives students with disabilities the opportunity to receive the services they need in order to be successful in school.

What is an individualized education plan (IEP)?

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