Understanding an Individualized Education Program (IEP) can be challenging, especially when it comes to the different IEP sections. It’s like trying to understand a new language. But what if you could not only understand these sections but also use them to help your child? That’s what we’re going to discuss today. This blog post will explain the various IEP sections, their importance, and how you can use them to ensure your child gets the education they need. We’ll talk about current performance levels, yearly goals, special education services, and more. So, whether you’re new to IEPs or have been dealing with them for a while, this post will provide useful insights into the world of IEP sections.
Table of Contents
What Is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Program, or IEP, is a unique roadmap for children who learn and think differently. Think of it as a personalized game plan, listing all the goals, assistance, and services your kiddo needs to shine in school.
Now, building this plan is more than just a one-person job. It’s teamwork! Teachers, therapists, and you – as parents – come together to design this plan. Getting familiar with the sections of an IEP can be a real game-changer. Why? Because it helps you ensure that your child gets the support they need and deserve. So, next time you’re questioning, “What does an IEP look like?” remember, it’s all about understanding those essential sections of an IEP and crafting a perfect game plan for your child’s educational success.
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Important Sections of an IEP
Let’s look at the main sections of an IEP and what they mean for your child’s learning.
1. Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)
The PLAAFP (Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance) provides insights into your child’s current skills, strengths, and challenges. It uses information from various sources, including tests, teacher observations, and parental input, helping the IEP team understand the help your child needs. Some key areas the PLAAFP may cover include:
- Reading and math levels
- Communication skills
- Behavior and social skills
- Physical abilities
Understanding the PLAAFP is an essential part of figuring out what an IEP looks like and how to tailor it to meet your child’s unique needs.
2. Annual Goals
Using the PLAAFP, the IEP team will make goals for your child. These goals are about schoolwork and other skills, like making friends or staying calm. The annual goals in the sections of an IEP show what your child should work on during the year.
Here are some examples of annual goals:
- Improve reading comprehension by one grade level
- Follow multi-step directions with 80% accuracy
- Participate in group activities without disruptions
3. Special Education and Related Services
An integral part of understanding an IEP is knowing the potential services your child could receive. These services are tailored to your child’s unique needs and could include:
- Assistance from a special education teacher
- Speech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Learning aids like Goally, which are designed to make the learning journey more accessible and enjoyable
Each service listed in the IEP is designed to address your child’s specific needs and help them reach their full academic potential.
Read More: Does My Kid Need Speech Therapy?
4. Supplementary Aids and Services
These are extra things that help your child do well in school with other kids. Examples include:
- Visual schedules
- Seats close to the teacher
- Changed assignments
- Help from classmates
5. Participation in State and District-Wide Assessments
This part talks about how your child will take big tests. The IEP team will decide if your child needs help, like more time or a quiet room, or if they need a different test.
Examples of testing accommodations include:
- Extended time
- Breaks during testing
- Large print or audio versions of the test
- Use of a calculator or other assistive technology
6. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
LRE, or Least Restrictive Environment, ensures that your child can interact and learn alongside their peers to the maximum extent appropriate. It’s like finding that perfect recipe – the IEP team works to blend regular classes and specialized assistance to best serve your child’s unique learning needs. So, understanding the different sections of an IEP, like LRE, can help you advocate for an enriching and inclusive educational environment for your child.
Examples of LRE options include:
- Full-time general education with support
- Part-time special education classes
- Full-time special education classes
- Specialized schools or programs
7. Transition Planning
For kids aged 16 and older, the IEP must have a plan for life after high school. This plan talks about college, jobs, and living on their own. Planning early helps your child get ready for adult life.
Transition planning might cover topics like:
- Post-secondary education options
- Job training and employment skills
- Independent living skills, such as budgeting and cooking
- Community resources and support
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As your child develops new skills, you can increase the difficulty level of the tasks in the app to challenge and motivate them even further. This helps your child grow and progress at their own pace, while also keeping them engaged and excited about their development.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the sections of an IEP helps you make sure your child gets the help they need. As a parent, your ideas and teamwork with the IEP team are very important. Stay involved, ask questions, and be proud of your child’s progress. Tools like Goally can be a valuable addition to your child’s IEP, providing extra support and reinforcement of skills at home and school.
FAQs About Sections of an IEP
What does an IEP look like? An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, describes the special education services a child receives to meet their unique learning needs.
What are the main sections of an IEP? Key sections of an IEP include Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), goals, special education services, Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), and progress measurement.
Who creates an IEP? An IEP is created by a team, usually comprising parents, teachers, therapists, and sometimes the student themselves.
What is the purpose of the LRE in an IEP? The LRE or Least Restrictive Environment section ensures the child can learn with their peers as much as possible in a balanced mix of regular and special education settings.
Can learning tools like Goally be part of an IEP? Learning aids such as Goally can be included in the IEP as they help make learning more accessible and enjoyable for the child.
This post was originally published on 04/25/2023. It was updated on 02/16/2024.
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