Resources

What’s the IEP’s purpose?

The IEP has two general purposes:

  • to set reasonable learning goals for a child, and

  • to state the services that the school district will provide for the child.

When is the IEP developed?

An IEP meeting must be held within 30 calendar days after it is determined, through a full and individual evaluation, that a child has one of the disabilities listed in IDEA and needs special education and related services. A child’s IEP must also be reviewed at least annually thereafter to determine whether the annual goals are being achieved and must be revised as appropriate.

Who Develops the IEP?

The IEP is developed by a team of school personnel and the child’s parents. This team meets at least once a year and more often, if necessary.

Team members work together to craft an education that will address the child’s individual needs and enable the child to participate in general education and school activities, learning alongside his or her nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. The IEP team then puts its crafted plan down in writing–resulting in the IEP that will guide the delivery of the child’s special education and related services.

If you’d like to read more in depth about the IEP team, please visit our pages on the subject, beginning at:

https://www.parentcenterhub.org/iep-team/