Understanding and How to Read IEP’s - Special Education IEP Overview - Tips and Components

Sep 2, 2026

A practical guide presented for education advocates and families to understand Special Education through the Individualized Education Program (IEP). It explains what special education is, who holds education rights, and how to request assessments and prepare for an IEP meeting. The deck details five IEP components, describes six types of IEPs and key timelines, outlines eligibility categories and myths versus facts, and clarifies roles at meetings. It also covers least restrictive placement, common warning signs, and available related services.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPPTX

Pages24

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Learning Objectives

Overview of Special Education 101

What is an IEP?

Types of IEPs and Timelines

Initial, Annual, Triennial

Amendment/Addendum and 30-Day/Transfer

Manifestation Determination

IEP Meeting Participants

Required Members

Optional Members

What Happens at the IEP Meeting

Five Main Components

Determining Eligibility for Special Education

Eligibility Categories

Present Levels and Annual Goals

Placement and Related Services

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Service Options

Understanding and How to Read IEP’s Presented by: Cindy Rodas, Education Advocate Learning Objectives Click to edit Master text styles You will be able to identify: Overview of Special Education 101 IEP’s-what are they? Components of IEP Examples of IEP’s Tips Overview of Special Education 101 What is Special Education? Who is an appropriate education right’s holder? Common warning signs hat a child might need special education services How to request special education assessments? How to prepare for an IEP meeting? What is an IEP? Special education must be individualized to meet child’s unique needs. Individualized Education Program is created to address each students needs. The program identifies each students needs, goals, classroom placement and services. Cal. Educ. Code § 56013 Education Manual, Page 18 6 kinds of IEPs Initial—Determines eligibility for special education. Annual—An IEP must be held at least once a year. Triennial—Every 3 years, schools must conduct new assessments to determine a student’s progress, and discuss those assessments at an IEP meeting. Amendment/Addendum—The ERH or school can request a meeting at any time to modify an existing IEP. After written ERH request, the IEP must be held within 30 calendar days. 30-Day/Transfer—An IEP must be held within 30 calendar days of transfer to a new school district to discuss placement options and services within the new district. District must implement the old IEP and provide ‘comparable’ services for the first 30 days. Manifestation Determination IEP—If a child with an IEP is suspended for 10+ days in a school year or is recommended for expulsion, a manifestation determination IEP meeting must be held. If the behavior was closely related to the disability, no further discipline can happen and the school must conduct a behavior assessment. Schools must notify you of a manifestation IEP. Cal. Educ. Code §§ 48915.5, 56043, 56302.1, 56341.1 Education Manual, Page 18 Who should attend IEP meetings? Required Members Education Right Holder General Education Teacher Special Education Teacher Administrative Designee Any person who has assessed the child or who provides services, if those services are being discussed Optional Members Parent or current caregiver (if not ERH) School Psychologist Social Worker Other school personnel who provide services or complete an assessment (e.g. speech and language pathologist) Education Manual, Page 18 What happens at the IEP meeting? The Written IEP includes 5 main components: Statement of Eligibility Present Levels of Performance Annual Goals and Objectives Statement of Services Statement of Placement Education Manual, Page 18 Cal. Educ. Code § 56341.1 Determining Eligibility for special education services Click to edit Master text styles Eligibility Categories Developmental Delay (DD) Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Visual Impairment (VI) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Orthopedic Impairment (OI) Speech and Language Impairment (SLI) Autistic-Like Characteristics (AUT) Mental Retardation (MR) Other Health Impairment (OHI) Multiple Disabilities (MD) Basics Only one category needs to be present in order be found eligible for the special education program The eligibility category does not limit the student to any specific placement, service or therapy See Handout 4: Eligibility Checklist for more details Education Manual, Page 18 Eligibility Examples Example 1 Example 2 Emotional Disturbance (ED) Myth: a child’s IEP records and ED label will follow them for the rest of their lives. Truth: a child’s IEP records are confidential and can only be released with written permission of the ERH. Myth: children will be ineligible for certain jobs if they are labeled as ED. Truth: If the youth applies to a profession that will use weapons (such as police or military), the applicant must agree to release their education and mental health records as part of the application process, which will be one piece of inf

FAQs

What is the purpose of an IEP and what does it include?

An IEP is individualized to address a child’s unique needs. It identifies needs and includes five main components: statement of eligibility, present levels of performance, annual goals and objectives, statement of services, and statement of placement.

What are the different types of IEPs and when are they held?

The deck describes six kinds of IEPs: Initial (eligibility), Annual (at least once a year), Triennial (every 3 years with new assessments), Amendment/Addendum, 30-Day/Transfer, and Manifestation Determination for certain suspension/expulsion situations.

Who should attend an IEP meeting and what roles do they play?

Required members include the Education Right Holder, general education teacher, special education teacher, administrative designee, and persons who assessed the child or provide discussed services. Optional members can include the parent/current caregiver, school psychologist, social worker, and other service providers or assessors.

Sep 2, 2026

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