Individualized Education Program (IEP)
When students are identified as having an educational disability and require special education services to meet their unique learning needs, they are provided an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is overseen by local public school divisions. An IEP is comprised of specially designed instruction that involves adapting the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the needs of the student and accommodations, modifications, and other supplementary aids and services to ensure their access to the general curriculum so the child can meet the educational standards that apply to all children in the Commonwealth.
The IEP content addresses:
- Present level of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP)
- Measurable annual goals
- Benchmarks or short-term objectives
- Related services including supplementary aids
- Participation with neurotypical children
- Participation in state and division-wide assessments
- Duration, frequency, and location of services
- Monitoring of progress towards annual goals
- Initial transition
- Secondary transition
Standards-Based IEP
The process used to develop a Standards-Based IEP is directly tied to the state’s overall content standards. Both the student’s present level of performance and some of the annual IEP goals are aligned with and based on the state’s grade-level standards which creates a program that is aimed at getting the student to a proficient level on the state standards.
The decision to use standards-based IEPs has been supported by the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that emphasizes access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities; and the federal assessment regulations issued in 2007 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that permits states to implement an alternate assessment based on modified academic achievement standards (AA-MAS).
Virginia IEP
The Virginia IEP System provides functionality as an IEP writer and compliance tool that affords educators the functionalities necessary to facilitate IEP meetings, develop IEP’s, monitor student progress, and gather and submit data for state reporting purposes.
Resources
- Sample IEP Form
- Sample Transition IEP Form
- Calculation Tool for Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
- Extended School Year Services
- Your Family's Special Education Rights – Virginia Procedural Safeguards Notice
- Transfer of Rights For Students with Disabilities Upon Reaching The Age of Majority In Virginia
- Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia
- Medicaid and Schools – School divisions can submit reimbursement claims to Medicaid for some services provided to students
- Transition Services for Students with Disabilities
- Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP)
Outside Resources
Federal Agencies
- The U.S. Departments of Education's Office of Special Education Programs
- A Guide to the Individualized Education Program
- Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
- Office for Civil Rights
- Office of Special Education Programs