The 7 Steps of the IEP Process

The 7 Steps of the IEP Process

Step 1: Pre-Referral

Step 7: Evaluation and Reviews

Step 5: Development of IEP

Step 3: Identification

-Service providers

Who can be on the multidisiplinary team?

-The student

-Parents/Guardians/Family members

-Classroom teachers

-School psychologist

A formal evaluation takes place to assess the student to see if there is a disability present

A multidisciplinary team is formed to conduct the evaluation

The evaluation must take place within 60 days of parental consent

The evaluation is conducted using testing, data collection, and progress monitoring

When a student seems to be struggling academically or behaviorally:

Teacher(s) implement interventions to help student succeed

Teacher(s) collect data to determine whether or not the interventions are helpful

If pre-referral interventions were successful, they will continue to be implemented. If not, those involved will move on to step 2.

IEP team meets to determine if student is meeting their IEP goals

Changes can be made to IEP to accommodate the students needs (e.g. new goals, services provided less/more often, etc.)

IEP needs to be reviewed at least once per year

Student is re-evaluated at least every 3 years

An IEP team is formed that can include parents, teachers, psychologists, other specialists, etc.

IEP team uses the evaluation results to determine the student's needs, services and service details, accommodations/modifications, and annual goals

These are documented on the IEP

Meeting must take place within 30 days of determining elegibility

-Audiobooks

-Text-to-Speech

-Word processor

-Speech-to-text

Can also Include Assistive Technology

-Calculators

-Headphones

-How often and for how long will the student receive the services (e.g. 3x a week for 30 min. each)

-Where the services will take place

-Group or individual settings

What service details are determined?

-Page/Pencil holders

-Who is providing the services

-Alternative Keyboards

-Testing/Screening

Methods of collecting data

-Student work samples

-Observations

-Low motivation

-Major life changes

-Reading comprehension difficulties

-Difficulties socializing

-Behavior problems

-Low grades

Warning Signs Pre-Referral May be Needed

-Student is evaluated like in Step 3: Identification

What happens in a re-evaluation?

-Determine if student is still elegible for and needs special ed. services

Step 2: Referral

Step 4: Eligibility

Step 6: Implementation of IEP

Student referred for formal evaluation

Requires parent consent

Referral can come from many sources, including parents, teachers, and doctors

Based on the results of the evaluation, their eligibility for special ed. services will be determined

Answer yes to two questions:

1. Does the student have a disability?

2. Does the disability negatively impact the student's educational performance to the point that they need special education services?

If no, student returns to general ed. classroom

If yes, they move on to step 5

Begin service delivery, accommodations, and modifications, following the IEP

Can include: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, longer test time, etc.