IEP Process - Brentwood School District

Individualized Education Program

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes the official documentation of special education services that will be provided for your student as well as the meeting where these services are determined. Below are some key points to help you become more familiar with the IEP process.

What is an IEP?

An IEP details the plan of special education instruction, supports and services that a student will need to reach their educational goals.

The IEP answers the following questions:

Where are we going (what is the vision for your child)?
Where are we now (what your child knows and does well)?
How far can we get this year (what will be this year’s goals and objectives)?
How will we get there (what services will be provided)?
What route will we take (how services will be provided)?

The IEP is not:

a daily lesson plan — but it does cover a whole year.
an evaluation report — an evaluation report describes your child’s strengths and needs. The information from an evaluation report is used to help write the IEP.
a contract — it does describe things you and the school have agreed to do for your child, but it cannot guarantee that all the special help will be successful.
a comprehensive curriculum — it relates to special considerations within your child’s overall education.
going to stay the same. As your child learns and grows, the IEP will need to reflect these changes.

Who develops the IEP?

Your school is required to notify you to arrange an IEP meeting at least annually. Those who will participate in the meeting should include:

The parents or guardian of the student
At least one regular education teacher of the student (if the student is, or may be, participating in the regular education environment)
At least one special education teacher
A representative of the local district who is knowledgeable about resources and curriculum of the district
An individual to interpret instructional implications of evaluation results
At the discretion of the parent or local education agency, other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the student
The student, if appropriate
At transition, other agencies needed to plan for the student's future

Charting the LifeCourse IEPs

As a family member or caregiver, you are an essential part of your student's educational journey. Charting the LifeCourse is a collaborative approach that helps students make choices and plan for the future they want, while engaging the support of families and educators to create IEP goals that reflect their unique strengths, potential skill-building opportunities, and support them in moving closer to their long-term vision.

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