IEP Terminology

Individualized education for children and youth with exceptional learning needs, provided at no cost to the student’s parents, that meets the unique academic and/or functional needs of the student.

• Special Education

• Related Service

• Accommodations

• Due Process Hearing

A legal process that is used to resolve disputes related to the identification, evaluation, placement, or provision of special education services to a student with a disability. An impartial hearing officer listens to both parties, examines the issues, and then makes a ruling.

• Related Service

• Individualized Education Program (IEP)

• Due Process Hearing

• Special Education

A written plan, developed collaboratively by school personnel and a student’s parents, which outlines the student’s current level of development, their annual learning goals, accommodations, modifications, and related services, as well as a method for monitoring the student’s progress toward achieving their goals.

• Special Education

• Individualized Education Program (IEP)

• Due Process Hearing

• Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

Adjustments made to a student's learning environment or materials to help them access the curriculum.

• Related Service

• Interventions

• Modifications

• Accommodations

The legal requirement that all eligible students receive access to special education, individualized educational programs (IEPs) and related services that are tailored to meet their individual needs at no cost to the family. This requirement is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

• Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

• Due Process Hearing

• Accommodations

Any of a number of services and supports designed to help students with disabilities to further benefit from special education; may include services from professionals including occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT), and speech-language pathologists (SLP) from a wide range of disciplines typically outside of education.

• Related Service

• Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

• Transition Plan

• Accommodations

The setting that provides the most opportunities for a student verified with a disability to be educated with their peers while still receiving necessary support and services.

• FAPE

• LRE

• PLAAFP

• ESY

Formal written communication that is required by law to be provided to parents or guardians of a student who is receiving special education services to inform of any proposed changes to their child's identification, evaluation, placement, or provision of special education services, and to obtain their consent or approval before making any significant changes.

• Transition Plan

• IEP Goals

• Special Considerations

• Prior Written Notice

Specific goals that are set for the student to achieve over the course of one year.

• IEP Goals

• Annual Goals

• Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)

• Special Education Service

A summary of a student's current skills, abilities, and academic achievement.

• FAPE

• LRE

• PLAAFP

• ESY