Is your child’s disability making it difficult for them to learn effectively? Check out our complete step-by-step guide to help your child get an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and unlock their full potential in school.
If your child has a disability, you’ll already understand the challenges they can face in traditional learning environments with “one-size-fits-all” teaching methods.
That’s why Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are essential—to make sure that every child receives the quality education they deserve, regardless of their disability.
An IEP is a customized plan for students with disabilities that outlines the specific educational goals, services, and accommodations designed to support their social and academic development.
If you think your child may qualify for an IEP, it is important to take action immediately.
Understanding the IEP process steps can feel overwhelming at first. However, it is a critical step to getting your child the support they need to succeed in school.
At Education Alternatives in Ohio, we have been helping students with IEPs get the education they need and deserve for over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll guide you through each stage of the IEP timeline, to simplify the process and help set your child on the path to success as quickly as possible.
Keep reading to learn everything you need about the IEP process steps!
What is the IEP process like?
The process of creating your child’s IEP is truly a team effort.
As a parent or guardian, you will work with the school district, your child’s teachers, and other professionals on the IEP team. Together, you will create a blueprint for your child’s education.
We cannot stress enough how important your role is in this process. From your child’s evaluation to the development and implementation of the IEP, your active involvement and support are key to ensuring that the plan fits your child’s unique needs.
The IEP process steps
The IEP process can be broken down into three main steps:
1. Identification and evaluation
If you believe your child is struggling in school due to a disability, you can request an evaluation by contacting your school administrator or special education director.
The goals of this evaluation are:
- To determine if your child has a disability
- Assess their strengths and weaknesses
- Evaluate how the disability affects their academic performance
This stage provides crucial information to identify your child’s specific needs.
2. IEP development
If the evaluation confirms that your child qualifies for special education services under one of the 13 disability categories established by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), you will collaborate with your child’s assigned IEP team to develop their Individualized Education Program (IEP).
This personalized plan outlines educational goals tailored to your child’s needs, as well as the services and accommodations required to support them academically and socially.
3. Application and ongoing review
Once the IEP is finalized, it is implemented in the classroom. Teachers and support staff will work to apply the strategies and accommodations outlined in the IEP to help your child achieve their goals.
Your child’s IEP will be reviewed annually, or more frequently upon your request, to monitor progress, assess the plan’s effectiveness, and make necessary adjustments to ensure continued growth and success.
Following these steps, the IEP process provides students with disabilities the support and resources they need for quality education and meaningful progress. This structured approach ensures each child’s education is tailored to their unique strengths and challenges.
The IEP timeline in Ohio
Now that we have a general understanding of the main IEP process steps, we will simplify everything into a more detailed IEP timeline, specifically for Ohio students.
Step 1: Request an evaluation for your child
To initiate the IEP process, you must submit a written request that provides consent for the evaluation. By sending this letter to your child’s school district, you officially establish a timeline for the evaluation. We recommend sending this via email or certified mail to ensure you have proof of receipt.
If you aren’t sure what else to include in your written request, check out the excellent sample letter that Disability Rights Ohio has on its website.
Step 2: Evaluation Consent
The school district will respond to your request within 30 days of receiving it.
If they suspect your child has a disability, they will ask for your written permission to evaluate your child in the PR-05: Parent Consent for Evaluation form.
OR
If the school district does not suspect a disability, it will send a written notice via the PR-01 form explaining its reasoning. Remember, if you disagree with the school district, you can dispute its decision through the Department of Education in Ohio via this link.
They must also provide a copy of the Special Education Procedural Safeguards Notice called “A Guide to Parents’ Rights in Special Education.”
Step 3: Evaluation
The school district must complete your child’s evaluation within 60 days of receiving your written consent.
Before the evaluation, you will meet with a team of qualified professionals to discuss your child’s disability and identify the areas needing assessment to determine their eligibility for an IEP.
Together, you will fill out the Evaluation Team Report (ETR) planning form to guide your child’s specific evaluation.
Your child’s IEP evaluation may include the assessment of their:
- Motor skills
- Cognitive abilities
- Social and emotional status
- Speech
- Language
Step 4: Determine eligibility
After your child’s evaluation, you will receive a Parent Invitation, called a PR-02, to the Evaluation Team Report (ETR) meeting. Here, you will review the evaluation data and summaries with a team of professionals to determine if your child is eligible for an IEP.
If your child is eligible, you will proceed to schedule the initial IEP meeting.
If the team determines your child is not eligible, you can request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). In this case, an external professional not employed by the school district will conduct this private evaluation.
Step 5: Develop the IEP
If your child qualifies, the school district has 30 days to develop their IEP.
This will be done at the Initial IEP meeting, which you will attend along with your child’s IEP team.
The team must include the following members:
- General education teacher
- Special education teacher or provider
- District representative
The main goal of this initial meeting is to develop an educational approach that prioritizes your child’s needs and puts them on the path to success. For the initial IEP, you, as the parent, must consent to the services provided for your child.
During this process, it is essential to remember that you are an important member of your child’s IEP team. Don’t just be a spectator, but actively represent your child’s interests.
Step 6: Implementation and ongoing review
Once your child’s IEP is developed, the school district will provide the services and accommodations outlined in their specific plan.
Your child’s IEP team will meet annually to review their academic and behavioral progress, reassess their goals, and ensure that their current education plan still effectively meets their needs.
While optional, attending these meetings lets you share your perspective on your child’s progress at home and school. It’s also your chance to advocate for your child and ask questions or raise concerns about their education plan.
As a parent, you can also request additional IEP meetings beyond the yearly schedule.
For an even more simplified breakdown, we have created this IEP flowchart to help guide you through the process.
Flowchart IEP Process
Education Alternatives and IEPs
Here at Education Alternatives in Ohio, we are an alternative school with a wide variety of specialized programs that have been helping students with IEPs succeed for over 20 years.
No matter your child’s unique disabilities or needs, our team is committed to providing a nurturing environment that fosters growth and helps them reach their IEP goals!
From our Coral Autism Program to our therapeutic Day Treatment Program, we tailor our classroom strategies to accommodate each child’s learning style.
We know that the IEP timeline and process can be overwhelming and sometimes seem pretty long. That’s why we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way on this journey.
Whether you want to know more about the IEP process steps or explore one of our many alternative education programs, our team is here to help!
Contact us! Our team will happily answer any questions you have about our programs and IEPs.
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