General Directions to Use the State’s Mandatory Individualized Education Program (IEP) Form - Updated October 2023

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Jake

Provides general, state-mandated instructions for using New York State’s required Individualized Education Program (IEP) Word form (updated October 2023). Covers how to keep the form in lock mode, recommended district password protection, and permitted formatting changes from 2011-12 onward. Explains which IEP sections may be deleted or adjusted, how to add or remove rows, how to unlock/lock for district letterhead use, and how to complete fields, drop-downs, checkboxes, and expanded text entries, including appropriate “none” or “not applicable” handling.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatDOCX

Pages18

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

General Directions

Form protection and allowed formats

Selecting required goal and disability sections

Completing fields, options, and responses

Adding rows and finalizing the IEP

General Directions to Use the State’s Mandatory Individualized Education Program (IEP) Form (Updated October 2023) The State’s mandatory IEP Form is provided as a Word document (version 2003) which includes form fields to enter or select typed information. Directions for use of this document in Word can be found on the HYPERLINK "http://www.nysed.gov/special-education/new-york-state-forms-and-notices-related-special-education" New York State Forms and Notices Related to Special Education webpage. The form is ‘lock protected’ in order for the form fields to function properly. The form should be used when it is in ‘lock’ mode. Unlocking the form during use may result in a modification to the form itself. It is recommended that each district password protect the form to prevent inadvertent form modifications. To do so, go to ‘Tools’, ‘Options’ and click on ‘Security’ and follow the directions. The State’s IEP form may be used in its current Word format, or may be converted to another format, including a computerized format. However, for all IEPs developed for the 2011-12 school year and thereafter, the State’s IEP form may not be modified to otherwise change its appearance or content, except as specifically noted below. Rows may be added or deleted within sections of the IEP as necessary. Districts must select the appropriate Measurable Annual Goal section of the IEP. For students needing annual goals only, select the section that does not include short-term instructional objectives and/or benchmarks. For students needing short-term instructional objectives and/or benchmarks with the annual goals, select the section of the IEP entitled ‘Alternate Section for Students Whose IEPs will Include Short-term Instructional Objectives and/or Benchmarks. For students for whom post-school transition planning is not required (such as preschool and elementary age students), the sections on ‘Measurable Postsecondary Goals’ and ‘Coordinated Set of Transition Activities’ may be deleted. The footer "New York State Education Department IEP form" may be removed. The student's name and other identifying information may be added to each page of the IEP. All other sections of the IEP must appear for each student's IEP, whether or not there are recommendations for the student to be documented in that section of the IEP. To use this form as a Word form document, you must follow the directions below. A district may save the IEP form on the district’s letterhead or use the ‘School District Identifying Information’ section found on the form itself. In order to save the document on the district’s letterhead, it is necessary that the form appear as a Word document and be in ‘unlock’ mode. To unlock the form, go to ‘View’, ‘Toolbars’ and click on ‘Forms’. This action will activate the ‘Forms’ toolbar. From the ‘Forms’ toolbar, click the ‘Protect Form’ symbol (padlock) . The form will then be in ‘unlock’ mode. Go to ‘Edit’, ‘Select All’ and ‘Copy’. Paste the highlighted form onto district letterhead. The form, now on district letterhead, must be locked in order to be functional. To lock the form, go back to the ‘Forms’ toolbar and click the ’Protect Form’ symbol (padlock) . The form will then be locked and ready for use. Use the Tab button to advance from field (grey box) to field to insert the required information as appropriate. FORMTEXT FORMTEXT These fields will automatically expand as text is entered. In the event that there is no relevant information to be included in a particular text field, then the district should enter ‘none’ or ‘not applicable.’ Select from the ‘drop-down’ options for the Disability Classification. Note that for a preschool student, the only appropriate disability classification is ‘Preschool Student with a Disability’. For a school-age student, select from one of the other 13 disability classifications. Disability Classification: FORMDROPDOWN Select from the ’drop-down’ options fo

FAQs

Why must the IEP Word form remain in lock mode during use?

The form is lock protected so the form fields function properly. Unlocking during use may modify the form; districts are advised to password protect it to prevent inadvertent changes.

What formatting changes are allowed for IEPs developed in 2011-12 and later?

The state IEP form may be used in its current Word format or converted to another format, but it may not be modified to change appearance or content except where specifically noted in the directions.

How should districts enter information when a text field has no relevant content?

If no relevant information is included in a text field, enter “none” or “not applicable,” and use the provided drop-down options and checkboxes for required categorical responses.

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Jake