What is an IEP? Part 2
If you’re reading this post, I hope you’ve read Part 1 of “What is an IEP” and that you’ve found it helpful! In part 2, we’ll look at additional sections of an IEP and discuss what they include.
Supplementary Aides/Accommodations
On this section of the IEP, this is where it is documented that a student can receive (and MUST legally receive) the agreed upon accommodations. Accommodations are provided in a variety of categories: Timing, Scheduling, Setting, Presentation.
- Timing – Does the student need additional time or breaks; if so, how much? (frequent breaks, time and a half, twice the allotted amount of time, more than twice the allotted amount time, etc.)
- Scheduling – Does the student test better during certain times of the day?
- Setting – Does the student require testing in a particular setting or accommodated setting? (Familiar place, familiar person, reduced stimuli)
- Presentation – Does the student require oral presentation of test directions, prompts, etc.?
Special Considerations
This section of an IEP includes a variety of items that are important to note. This section may vary depending on what IEP system your school district uses.
In my district, the Special Considerations included are:
- Healthcare Needs – Document medical information in this section.
- Transportation Needs – If the student is eligible for transportation, you will need to add what types of services they need during transportation and provide rationale for determining the transportation needs (do they need a bus attendant, car seat, seat belt, etc. and document why)
- Limited English Proficiency Needs – If English is not the first language of the student, this is where you will include this information.
- Assistive Technology Needs – This may include communication devices or adaptive tools (paper, seating, writing utensils, etc).
- Communication Needs – Does the student receive speech or language services or have any other needs to address for their communication? This is where we document all needs in this area.
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing – If a student is deaf or hearing impaired, this area will include information and needs of the student relating to hearing.
- Blind or Visual Impairment – If a student is blind or visually impaired, this area will include information and needs of the student related to vision.
- Behavior Needs – This is where we document all needs for behavior, which may include information about any functional behavioral assessments (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP/PBIP) or any crisis management information.
Coming up in another post – Part 3 in the “What is an IEP?” series. Stay tuned!
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