Development of IEP

The IEP is an individualized educational program developed by you and your child’s planning and placement team. It is based upon the evaluations of your child discussed above, and tailored to his or her individual special education needs. Each student’s IEP is reviewed and updated at least once each year, and the importance of its contents cannot be overemphasized. The IEP sets forth much more than merely your child’s current performance. It also details what your child’s learning needs are and what services will be necessary to meet those needs. IEPs contain essential details regarding the particular services needed, how long those services will be needed, and who will provide those services. Your input into its development is essential to create an individualized plan that will best suit your child’s educational needs, as well as to create a record that can be reviewed if necessary in the future – remember, a hearing officer or judge can only review what it can see. It is absolutely appropriate to request that your comments be recorded in writing and attached to your child’s IEP.