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Special factors

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Special factors are five issues the IEP team must consider for every student: behavior, English learning, braille, communication and assistive technology.

Topic: The IEP document

In plain terms

The five special factors are: positive behavior supports when behavior affects learning; language needs for a student who is an English learner; braille instruction for a student who is blind or visually impaired; communication needs, including for a student who is deaf or hard of hearing; and whether the student needs assistive technology devices or services. The team must consider each one, even if it decides one does not apply.

How it shows up in an IEP

Most IEP forms have a checklist for special factors. When a factor applies, it should show up elsewhere in the IEP, for example as a behavior goal, a braille literacy goal, or AT listed under supplementary aids.

Example

For a student who uses a speech-generating device, the team marks assistive technology as a special factor and adds device training for staff and an AAC goal for requesting during lessons.

The rule

Federal reference: 34 CFR §300.324(a)(2).

Related terms

  • BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan)A BIP is a written plan, based on an FBA, that describes how staff will prevent a behavior, teach a replacement skill and respond when the behavior happens.
  • Assistive technology deviceAn assistive technology device is any item, equipment or software used to increase, maintain or improve the abilities of a student with a disability.
  • BrailleBraille is a tactile system of reading and writing in which letters, numbers and symbols are formed by patterns of raised dots in cells of six.
  • English learner with an IEPAn English learner with an IEP is a student learning English who also has a disability, and who is entitled to both language support and special education.
  • Teacher of the deaf and hard of hearingA teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing is a certified specialist who teaches and supports students with hearing loss.

This page describes special education terms and federal rules in general terms and is not legal advice. Our editorial policy explains how IEP Atlas writes and reviews content. Browse all 244 terms.