IEP Services
In education, IEP stands for Individualized Education Program, a legal document outlining specialized instruction, services, and goals for students with disabilities to ensure they receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as mandated by federal law (IDEA). It's a detailed blueprint created by a team, including parents and teachers that addresses a child's unique needs, setting measurable goals and specifying supports like therapies, accommodations, or curriculum changes to help them succeed in school.
Key Components of an IEP:
- Legal Document: A binding plan for students eligible for special education.
- Individualized: Tailored to a child's specific learning challenges, like reading difficulties, autism, or speech impairments.
- Goals: Measurable annual goals for academic and functional progress.
- Services: Details special education, related services (like speech therapy, counseling), and supports.
- Accommodations/Modifications: Adjustments to the learning environment or curriculum to help the student access education.
- Team-Developed: Created collaboratively by parents, teachers, specialists, and school staff.
Purpose:
- To map out the special education services a student needs to thrive.
- To ensure students with disabilities can participate in the general curriculum and school activities.
- To provide a framework for tracking progress and adjusting support as needed.
504 Services
Students
with disabilities who do not qualify for an individualized education
program under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 if the student (i) has a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a
record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as
having a physical or mental impairment.
INFORMATION ABOUT TAX-FREE SAVING ACCOUNTS FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
The Stephen Beck, Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act
(ABLE) became law on December 19, 2014. The law aims to ease financial
strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free saving
accounts available to cover qualified disability expenses. - click here to learn more about ABLE