School-Based Documentation for Speech-Language Pathologists (Ensslen-Boggs - Online)

Course overview

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written statement of the educational program designed to meet a child's individual needs. The purpose of an IEP is to set reasonable learning goals for the child, and to state the services that the school will provide. Every child who receives special education services and/or related services must have an IEP. To create an effective IEP, teachers, parents, school administrators, special educators, and related services providers must work as a team to improve the education of children with disabilities. Even though various systems exist for writing IEPs and related documentation, each child's IEP must contain specific information, in accordance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This information includes: the child's present levels of academic and functional performance, annual goals, how progress will be measured, services that will be provided, supplementary aids and services, assessment accommodations, and information about the child's least-restrictive environment for receiving these services. The process of developing and implementing this important document is of vital importance to educators, related services providers, administrators, and families. This course is designed to help speech-language pathologists navigate the process of developing an IEP. The information presented is based on what is required by our nation's special education law-the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA requires that specific information be included in every child's IEP; however, state, and local school systems often include additional information in IEPs to best document that they have met certain criteria related to federal and/or state law. States and school systems have flexibility when designing their IEP forms, so it is common that documentation will look very different between states and school systems.