An individualized education plan, most commonly known as an “IEP,” is a plan that is designed by school staff to meet the unique education needs of a disabled child. One of the main goals of an IEP is to provide children with a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). All children who qualify as disabled under state and federal guidelines are required to have an IEP created by the public school.

How does the IEP process work? First of all, an IEP team comprising at least one of the child’s parents as well as the child’s teachers, school psychologist, and administrators works together to come up with a suitable education plan for the child.

An IEP must include the following:

• A statement of the child’s present levels of academic achievement and performance
• A statement of measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals
• The way in which the child’s progress toward goals will be measured and reported
• A statement of the services the child will receive
• A schedule of services, including where they will be held, how frequently they will be held, how long they will be held, and when they will begin and end
• A statement of individual appropriate accommodations that are necessary to measure the academic achievement and functional performance of the child on state- and district-wide assessments
• Identifications of needed classroom accommodations, which the school must provide

Parents don’t always agree with the IEP plan suggested by the public school. If parents feel as if the IEP plan does not give the child the services he needs, there is an appeals process the parent can initiate.

When parents begin the IEP process, they should be given a booklet that educates them on the entire process. If you were not given this booklet, ask for it. In addition, if there are things you do not understand, or if you feel the process is not being correctly followed, contact an attorney who specializes in education issues involving special needs children. Remember that education is one of your child’s basic rights. If you don’t have the knowledge or experience to advocate for your child, find someone who can. A proper education makes a huge difference in the future of all children, whether they have special needs or not.