Annual review
Last updated
An annual review is the IEP meeting, held at least once every 12 months, where the team reviews progress and writes the next year's IEP.
Topic: The IEP document
In plain terms
At the annual review, the team looks at whether the student met the goals, considers new evaluation data and any parent concerns, and revises the present levels, goals, services and placement. Teams can meet more often whenever needed, and parents can request a meeting at any time. Some changes can also be made between meetings by written agreement, without a full meeting.
How it shows up in an IEP
The annual review date drives the year's planning. Teachers should have final progress data, updated baselines and draft goals ready a week or two before, so the meeting is spent discussing decisions, not reading numbers for the first time.
Example
A case manager sees an annual review due on March 14. In late February, the team gathers progress data on all four goals and shares a draft with the family a week ahead.
Not the same as Reevaluation
The annual review revisits the IEP every year. A reevaluation reassesses eligibility and needs, at least every three years. Read the definition of Reevaluation.
The rule
Federal reference: 34 CFR §300.324(b).
Related terms
- IEP (Individualized Education Program)An IEP is the written plan, developed by a team that includes the parents, describing the special education and services an eligible student will receive.
- Reevaluation (triennial)A reevaluation is a new look at a student's needs and eligibility, required at least every three years unless the parent and school agree it is not needed.
- Progress report (IEP)An IEP progress report tells parents, on a schedule stated in the IEP, how much progress the student is making toward each annual goal.
- PLAAFP (present levels of academic achievement and functional performance)The PLAAFP is the IEP section that describes how a student is currently doing in school and how the disability affects progress in the general curriculum.
- IEP teamThe IEP team is the group of people, including the parents, who develop, review and revise a student's IEP together.
On IEP Atlas
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