If a child is found eligible to receive Special Education services, the IEP is a written plan that describes in detail your child’s special education program. All students receiving special education and related services must have an IEP. It must be reviewed every year. In Connecticut, parents and caregivers receive a copy of their child’s IEP within five school days after the PPT meeting is held to develop or revise the IEP. Infants and toddlers identified as having a disability through the Connecticut Birth to Three System receive an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP).
What are the main parts of an IEP?
- Current review of educational and functional performance;
- Measurable educational goals linked to present levels of academic and functional performance for the coming year and short-term objectives for instruction;
- Evaluation procedures and performance criteria;
- An explanation of the extent, if any, to which your child will not participate in the regular education class, the general education curriculum or extracurricular activities;
- Changes and special help your child needs to be active in the general education curriculum including non-academic and extracurricular activities;
- Special education and related services required by your child including transportation and physical and vocational education programs;
- Recommended instructional settings and a list of people who will work with your child to implement the IEP;
- The date services will begin and end, and the frequency of the identified services;
- The length of the school day and year;
- Recommendations for participation in alternate assessments (if needed); and
- Transition service needs