Individualized Education Program (IEP)

The individualized education program (IEP) is a document required by federal law for every student who has been found to be eligible to receive special education services. The IEP is a summary of the assessment data collected on the student that supports a team decision to provide special education services. The IEP is intended to guide what the student will learn during the school year. IEPs have been required for students with disabilities since the original special education law, Pub. L. 94–142, was originally signed in 1975; it is now titled Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). This entry describes the IEP team members responsible for collaboratively producing IEPs for students with disabilities and the required components of the IEP. A brief discussion of ...