The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires an IEP be developed if a child is determined to have a disability that requires specialized instruction. The IDEA establishes that a written plan must specify how education, related services, and support will be delivered to a student with disabilities. That written plan is called an IEP, or Individualized Education Program.
Additionally, a student with a disability must be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). This means that to the maximum extent appropriate, the student is educated with students who are non-disabled. Separate schooling or other removal of the student from the general education environment occurs only if the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
In Maryland, each local school system is required to use the statewide format, the Maryland Statewide IEP, available in several languages on the Maryland State Department of Education website.
In addition to personal information, including the student’s name and address, the IEP includes the following parts.
These questions may be answered as part of the IEP development meeting.
Whether the student will receive a Maryland High School Diploma or Certificate, consideration must be given to preparing the student for life beyond the secondary school level. Transition specialists, counselors, adult service providers, and employers, may assist the IEP team in making decisions.
Parents will receive written notice of any IEP team meeting to develop, review, or revise your child's IEP at least ten (10) calendar days before the meeting unless an expedited meeting is convened. The meetings should be scheduled at a mutually agreed time and place. The notice indicates the purpose, time, location of the meeting, and who will be in attendance. As a parent you may invite other individuals to the IEP meeting who have knowledge or special expertise regarding your child. Beginning at age 14, or younger, if appropriate, the notice must indicate that one purpose of the meeting is the consideration of needed transition services for the child.
Resources:
Building IEPs with Maryland Families: What a Great IDEA!
A Family Guide to Preschool Special Education Services
Requesting an Evaluation for Special Education Services for Your Child
Maryland Statewide IEP, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, French, Gujarati, Haitian-Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese