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Resources on IEPs for Children with Disabilities

Resources Related to Individualized Education Program (IEP)

• News and information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) is available from the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). (Outside Source).Topic briefs include a summary of all relevant statutory language around that topic, along with citations and cross-references to other related briefs when applicable.
• Individualized Education Program (IEP), Team Meetings and Changes to the IEP (PDF; Outside Source) explains changes in procedures for IEP meetings, including information about membership, attendance, and making changes to the IEP.
• A Guide to the Individualized Education Program (Outside Source)
  United States Department of Education guidance to assist educators, parents, and state and local educational agencies in implementing the requirements of Part B of the IDEA regarding IEPs .
• Standards-Based Individualized Education Program Examples (Outside Source; PDF)
  A seven-step process to be used in developing a standards-based IEP. Each step is followed by guiding questions for the IEP team to consider in making data-based decisions.
  • A Seven-Step Process to Creating Standards-based IEPs (Outside Source; PDF)
    This companion document provides the steps and guiding questions in a brief two-page document.

California

• Training on Writing IEP Based on State Standards (Updated 10-Mar-2009)
  Writing measurable annual goals and objectives in the IEP related to California Content Standards.
• Standards-Based Instruction: Could it Happen in Special Education? (Outside Source)
  In this archived WestED Web cast presentation, learn how special educators can implement standards-focused instruction and how appropriately written IEPs can support the attainment of grade-level standard skills. Includes information on how teachers can "unpack the standards" to drive instruction that will meet standards-based IEP goals.
• California Standards Test (CST) Proficiency Charting Tool (Outside Source)
  Excel files can be downloaded and used to generate an English-Language Arts (ELA) California Standards Test (CST) chart for any California school or district.
• Standards-Based IEPs: Implementation in Selected States (PDF; Outside Source)
  Analysis of the most recent developments in some states that are implementing standards-based IEPs.
  

Resources Related to IDEA 2004

• Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities (Outside Source)
  Information, including research briefs and resources designed to improve instruction, assessment, and accountability for students with disabilities. The Tool Kit is intended to assist state personnel, schools, and families in their efforts to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a quality education.
• IDEA Parent Guide (Outside Source)
  This guide describes the special education process with special emphasis on the category of specific learning disability and includes parent perspectives, terms helpful to know, and practical materials for parents (e.g., checklists, sample letters, charts, and questions to ask). This guide produced by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD).
• Response to Instruction & Intervention
  A general education approach of high quality instruction, early intervention, and prevention and behavioral strategies.
  

Federal Law and Regulations

• Final Part B Regulations of the IDEA (PDF; Outside Source)
  The official copy was published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2006.

California Issues

• Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Programs:
• California Modified Assessment (CMA) - The development and implementation of an alternate assessment of the California content standards based on modified achievement standards.
  
  In April 2007, the United States Department of Education enacted regulations for an alternate assessment based on modified achievement standards. The California Department of Education, in response to the federal regulations, is continuing to develop and implement an alternate assessment of the California content standards based on modified achievement standards for children with disabilities who have an individualized education program (IEP).
  
• California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) - The development and implementation of an alternate assessment for children with severe cognitive disability.
  
  In order to meet the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), California must show evidence that all students are included in our statewide assessment and accountability system. The California Department of Education (CDE) is continuing to develop and implement an alternate assessment for children with disabilities who cannot take part in general statewide assessment programs. The California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) is the alternate assessment for the California Standards Tests.