IV - Individualized Education Program (2010 Public Comment)

Sep 4, 2026

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Iowa policy requires development of individualized education programs (IEPs) for children needing special education and related services. Public and private agencies follow state rules, statutes, and procedures for establishing, reviewing, revising, and maintaining IEP records. An IEP or individualized family service plan (IFSP) must be written and agreed by the IEP/IFSP team before services begin, with meeting and annual review timelines and access requirements for implementation.

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IV. INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM

State policy and agency requirements

IEP/IFSP purpose and timing

IEP team membership and excusal

Transition services and consent

IEP meeting notice and parent access

IV. INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM It is the policy of the State of Iowa to require the development of individualized education programs (IEPs) for children requiring special education and related services. All public and private agencies that provide special education are governed by policies, rules, statutes and procedures for the establishment, review, and revision of IEPs for all children requiring special education and for the maintenance of IEP records. The Iowa Department of Education is not currently providing direct services to any child. However, should it become necessary for the State Education Agency (SEA) to provide services, the services will be provided in accordance with the IDEA’s requirements. An IEP or individualized family service plan (IFSP) is a written statement for each individual with a disability, developed in accordance with Iowa’s administrative rules of special education, that describes the special education and support and related services that the individual will receive. No public special education or related services may be provided until an IEP or IFSP has been written and agreed upon by the IEP or IFSP team. A document containing all of the elements required by Part C and Part B shall be provided to parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities ages birth through 2. At the age of 3, students with disabilities have an IEP. All IEPs and IFSPs must be implemented as soon as possible following the determination that a student requires special education. A meeting to develop an IEP must be held within 30 days of a determination of need and an IEP shall be in effect for every eligible individual at the beginning of the school year. In addition to holding all agencies responsible for conducting meetings, Iowa Rules of Special Education require that IEP meetings be held within a reasonable time, and that the IEP team review the IEP not less than annually. The IEP must be accessible to all who have responsibility for its implementation. Each local education agency (LEA) must have a policy to ensure that there is a procedure in place for each provider to have access to the IEP. Public agencies ensure that the IEP team for each child with a disability includes: 1. the parents of the child; 2. not less than one regular education teacher of the child (if the child is, or may be, participating in the regular education environment) 3. not less than one special education teacher of the child, or if appropriate, at least one special education provider of the child; 4. a representative of the public agency who is qualified to provide or supervise the provisions of specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities, is knowledgeable about the general education curriculum, and is knowledgeable about the availability of resources of the public agency; 5. an individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results, who may be a member of the team described in 2 through 6 of this paragraph; [6. at](6. at) the discretion of the parent or the agency, other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, including related services personnel as appropriate – The determination of the knowledge or special expertise of any individual shall be made by the party (parents or public agency) who invited the individual to be a member ofthe IEP team; and 7. if appropriate, the child. A public agency may designate another public agency member ofthe IEP team to also serve as the agency representative (IEP team participant \#4 above) if they satisfy the criteria specified for that role. An IEP team member may be excused from attending an IEP meeting if the parents and public agency agree that the individual’s attendance is not necessary because that member’s curriculum area or related service is not being discussed. This agreement must be in writing. An IEP team member may be excused from attending an IEP meet

FAQs

What is required in Iowa before special education or related services can be provided?

Services may not be provided until an IEP or IFSP has been written and agreed upon by the IEP or IFSP team.

When must an IEP meeting be held after a determination of need?

A meeting to develop an IEP must be held within 30 days of the determination of need, and the IEP is in effect at the beginning of the school year.

Who must be included on the IEP team for a child with a disability?

The team includes the parents; at least one regular education teacher if the child is or may be in the regular environment; at least one special education teacher or appropriate provider; a qualified public agency representative; and someone who can interpret evaluation results, with additional members permitted as appropriate.

Sep 4, 2026

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