IEP Services - Your Role and Responsibilities
IEP services, determined through a comprehensive needs assessment, provide tailored aids and supports to address a child’s unique strengths and challenges, with goals set collaboratively to meet educational needs over 12 months.
Understanding IEP Services
IEP Services outline the additional aids and support a student will receive as part of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). These services are determined through a comprehensive needs assessment to ensure they match the child's unique learning requirements.
Your Role in the IEP Process
To support your child’s success, it’s important to:
- Understand the IEP process
- Know your rights and responsibilities
- Be prepared for changes over time—your child’s needs may evolve, and so will your role as their advocate.
How Are IEP Services Determined?
Once a child is found eligible for an IEP, the IEP team gathers and analyzes data to understand their:
- 📊 Strengths
- 📊 Challenges
- 📊 Learning needs
This process includes:
- 📌 Academic assessments
- 📌 Progress reports
- 📌 Teacher and service provider observations
- 📌 Input from specialists
Based on this data, the team sets SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to guide the child’s progress over the next 12 months.
Where Are IEP Services Provided?
IEP services are often provided in special education classrooms, but support can also take place in other settings, such as:
- Regular classrooms with specialized instruction (e.g., a reading teacher trained in working with students with disabilities)
- Resource rooms for smaller group instruction and more individualized attention
- Subject-specific classes to help students catch up in areas where they are struggling
The goal is to provide the right level of support while allowing the student to participate as much as possible in general education activities.