■ Modifications and accommodations, including those for non-academic and extracurricular activities, must occur, if necessary in the general education environment. The list of examples is extensive. Ask to see the State Department list at your PPT meeting.
Modifications, Accommodations and Assistive Technology (CSDE List);
IEP Adaptation and Modification Checklist;
PEATC Accommodations;
Difference Between Modifications and Accommodations.
■ Functional behavioral plan
(if needed)
IDEA mandates a behavioral intervention plan (BIP) to address the child’s behavior, if it impedes his or her learning or that of others. If necessary, the team may request that a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) be performed by a qualified expert and, subsequently, that a plan be developed and implemented.
■ Placement
The child’s placement (where the IEP will be carried out) must be decided. The placement decision is made by a team, which includes the parents and others who understand the child’s profile, what the evaluation results mean, and what type of placements are appropriate.
Placement decisions must be made according to IDEA’s least restrictive environment requirements, commonly known as LRE. These requirements state that, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities must be educated with children who do not have disabilities.
See page 25 (Continuum of Services chart);
Consent for Provision of Special Education;
LRE Procedural Checklist.
Parents should familiarize themselves with the use of an IEP Matrix, which presents a child’s objectives, supports, staff and daily activities and settings in an easy-to-read visual format. If possible, the team should complete a matrix for a fuller understanding of the child.
All recommendations made at the meeting will be summarized on page 2 of the IEP document. The actions recommended by the team, the actions considered but not recommended by the team and any actions refused by the district or parents should be clearly stated on the “Prior Written Notice” page, page 3. If parents need additional time to consider the recommendations, they may request an adjournment. Unless they formally disagree, the IEP will be implemented five days after the mailing of the IEP containing the prior written notice information.
No signature is required on the IEP document itself.
The parents have the right to request an additional PPT meeting to review, revise or disagree with the decisions outlined in the IEP document.