INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN
- An IEP is a data-driven legal agreement that is based on the documented needs of individual students who are eligible for Special Education services.
- An IEP ensures that students receive Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and related services in order to have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
- An IEP is developed by a multidisciplinary team that includes educators, parents/guardians, and the student when appropriate.
LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT
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Students with disabilities receive their education alongside their peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate.
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Students should not be removed from the general education classroom unless learning cannot be achieved even with the use of supplementary aids and services.
STUDENT-SPECIFIC ACCOMMODATIONS
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Instructional accommodations change how students learn but do not change what they learn.
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Accommodations do not change what the student is expected to learn. The directions remain the same but accommodations change how the content is taught, made accessible, and/or assessed.
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Accommodations for instruction are based on the needs of the student.
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Accommodations are part of Specially Designed Instruction that allow students access to the General Education curriculum.
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are learning expectations in English language arts and mathematics designed to prepare K–12 students for college and career success.
The CCSS communicate what is expected of students at each grade level, putting students, parents, teachers, and school administrators on the same page, working toward shared goals.
The Common Core Essential Elements (EE) are specific statements of knowledge and skills linked to the grade-level expectations identified in the Common Core State Standards.
The purpose of the Essential Elements is to build a bridge from the content in the Common Core State Standards to academic expectations for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities”
(Dynamic Learning Maps Consortium, 2013).
Individualized Education Plan Resources
Tools that provide guidance for families on navigating an IEP meeting and understand how instructional systems work together to ensure the school is serving the educational needs of your student.
Access to General Education
IEP Family Input Guide
These tools can also be found on the Washington State Family Engagement Center resource page.