What is an IEP?

An IEP is an Individualized Education Program that

every public school student that receives special
education and related services must have. An IEP is
designed specifically for the individual student and
their needs. The IEP creates an opportunity for
teachers, parents, school administrators, related
services personnel, and students (when appropriate)
to work together to improve educational results for
children with disabilities.
In Texas, the meetings that determine the
special education supports and services for a student
are called ARD meetings. ARD is an acronym for
Admission, Review and Dismissal. Other states call
these meetings IEP Meetings.

Steps in the Special Education Process under
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
1. Child is identified as possibly needing special
education or related services
2. Child is evaluated
3. Eligibility is decided
4. Child is found eligible for services
IEP must be written in 30 days after
child is found eligible
5. IEP meeting is scheduled with the childs IEP
team
6. IEP meeting is held and IEP is written
7. Services are provided
8. Progress is measured and reported to
parents
9. IEP is reviewed
10. Child is reevaluated at least every three
years

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What is the Parents Role in the IEP/ARD
Process?
! Parents need to provide critical information
in regards to the strengths of their child and
be able to express their concerns for
enhancing their childs education.

! Parents are encouraged to participate in
discussions about the child's needs for
special education and related services, as
well as, supplementary aids.

! Parents will participate in deciding how the
child will be involved and how they will
progress in the general curriculum. Parents
will participate in State and district-wide
assessments, as well as, which services
the agency will provide to the child and in
what setting.

Parent Resources
Texas Project FIRST
www.texasprojectfirst.org

Directory of Community Resources in Texas
http://disabilityresources.tamu.edu

Parent Resource Network-
www.partnerstx.org




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Who is part of the IEP team?
Parents- they are key members of the IEP
team since they know their childs strengths
and needs very well, and they can bring ideas
to the table to enhance their childs education.

Regular Education Teachers should discuss
the general curriculum in the regular classroom;
aids, services or changes to the educational
program that would help the child learn and
achieve, as well as, strategies to help the child
with their behavior - if behavior is an issue.

Special Education Teachers will be able to
suggest ways to modify the general curriculum
and testing; types of aides and services to help
the child succeed in the regular classroom; and
other ways to individualize instruction.

School System Representative- will be able
to discuss necessary school resources. This
individual needs to have the authority to commit
resources and be able to ensure that the
services that are set out in the IEP will actually
be provided to the student.

Transition Service Agency Representative
if student is of a transitioning age into
adulthood this representative can help develop
postsecondary education and career goals,
getting work experience while still in school,
and set up linkages with adult service
providers.

Others with Special Expertise or Knowledge
about the Child- will be able to discuss the
childs strengths and needs. A person with
special expertise will be able to help develop
the childs IEP.

A Person who can interpret evaluation
results- must be able to talk about the
instructional implications of the child's
evaluation results, which will help the team plan
appropriate instruction to address the needs of
the child.

The Student (as appropriate)- will be able to
have a strong voice in their education and
participating in their IEP/ARD meetings can
teach them a great deal about self-advocacy
and self-determination.