For those who have wondered what the letters I.E.P mean in regards to education, they stand for something called an Individualized Education Program. It is a legal document that gets put into place for a child who receives special education services at the school they attend. An I.E.P. allows for adjustments to be made in their education due to having a special need or a disability.
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
The I.E.P. is a result of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 which was a part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). While it is now considered normal for schools to educate children with disabilities, this has not always been the case. In 1970, only one in five children with disabilities were educated in U.S. schools. At the time, many states had laws that children with certain disabilities such as blindness, or being emotionally disturbed, weren’t allowed to go to school. Thanks to IDEA, many accomplishments have been made when it comes to educating children with disabilities. Some of these accomplishments include:
- Most children with disabilities are educated in regular school classrooms
- More students with disabilities are graduating from high school
- Students with disabilities are able to attend college
With the help of an I.E.P., children with special needs or with a disability are more likely than ever to succeed in school.
Children Who Need an I.E.P.
Children and youth between the ages of 3 and 22, and who are receiving special education services, need to have an I.E.P. This program can benefit children who have been diagnosed with the following:
- Orthopedic impairment
- Autism
- Intellectual disabilities
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Multiple disabilities
Children who have a speech, hearing, or vision impairments should also have an I.E.P. Parents of children who can benefit from an I.E.P should know that while services under an Individualized Education Program are guaranteed in the public school system, this is not necessarily the case when the school is run privately.
The I.E.P. Team
An I.E.P. is not something that a parent needs to put together. Instead, a whole team of people work together to put an I.E.P. in place. The team can consist of those who are the most involved in the child’s education such as parents, teachers, special education teachers, principals, school counselors, and possibly even school psychologists, case managers, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. The team gets together and documents what types of goals they would like to see the child achieve, how much progress has been made, and what services, equipment, and accommodations are required in order to educate the child. The goals are usually both functional and academic. Some examples of functional goals might include knowing how to properly behave and self feeding. The child’s team updates the I.E.P every year. Some of the members of this team will most likely change from year to year.
While it may seem daunting to parents whose child needs an Individualized Education Program, it is really in the child’s best interest to have one in place. An I.E.P. will help children with disabilities succeed in getting an education.
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