IEP team
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The IEP team is the group of people, including the parents, who develop, review and revise a student's IEP together.
Topic: The IEP document
In plain terms
IDEA lists required members: the parents, at least one general education teacher if the student is or may be in general education, at least one special education teacher or provider, a district representative who can commit resources, and someone who can interpret evaluation results (often a team member already listed). Others with knowledge of the child can join at the parent's or school's invitation, and the student attends when appropriate.
How it shows up in an IEP
A member can be excused only with written agreement from the parent and the district, and, if that member's area is being discussed, written input submitted ahead of time. Goals are stronger when each member brings data: the general educator's work samples, the related service provider's probe results, and the family's observations at home.
Example
For a ninth grader's IEP, the team includes the parents, the student, a math teacher, the case manager, the school psychologist, an assistant principal and, with consent, a vocational rehabilitation counselor.
The rule
Federal reference: 34 CFR §300.321.
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.
- Student-led IEPA student-led IEP is an IEP meeting where the student leads part or all of the discussion about their strengths, needs, goals and supports.
- Annual reviewAn 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.
- Procedural safeguardsProcedural safeguards are the rights IDEA gives parents and students, and the steps schools must follow, to keep special education decisions fair.
- Prior written noticePrior written notice is the explanation a school must give parents before it proposes or refuses a change to a child's evaluation, placement or services.
On IEP Atlas
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