The IEP Process

1. A teacher can note the intraindividual differences of their pupils in order to figure out what certain students' strengths and needs are. This will help to develop a customized IEP if needed. 2. Before referring a student to be evaluated as a special needs student, a teacher must implement a pre-referral intervention and document its effectiveness. If the strategies they implement are successful, the student does not need to be referred; however, if the strategies are unsuccessful, requests can be made to parents or guardians to evaluate the student.
3. A written request (referral) to evaluate the student is made. Details about the student's academic and social performance must be included to give the individuals reviewing the referral enough information to determine whether or not the student will receive a formal assessment.
4. After receiving permission from parents, a multi-disciplinary team of professionals including a teacher will attempt to gather a complete profile of the student's strengths and needs. Formal and informal assessment tools will be used to gather the information for this profile.
5. After determining that the student is eligible for special education, the multi-disciplinary team must construct an individualized learning plan and determine appropriate placement for the student.
6. The purpose of the IEP is to provide the student with an education that works with their strengths and needs. It specifies who will be involved in providing the education, what services will be offered, where, and for how long. It also measures the student's success in meeting goals set forth in the IEP. The IEP will be constructed by a team, including a parent/guardian, a general education teacher and a special educator, a representative from the school district, and an individual who is able to interpret the instructional implications of the evaluation. The IEP is not a set-in-stone curriculum or instructional agenda. It is simply an customized education plan that addresses the needs of the student.
As an IEP team member, it is critical that you have all the information about the student to give an accurate representation of the student's educational needs. It is important to monitor the success of the student while utilizing the IEP, and ensure that there are measurable annual goals for the student to meet. The IEP team member must also make sure that the student has access to the general education program. IEP team members must stay active in the IEP and write goals that are appropriate based on the student's current level of performance.