An individualized education program (IEP) can be very helpful in defining the way your child will receive education at their school. This document helps provide guidance for your family, your child, educators, administrators and anyone else who is involved. It can determine the type of support your child is going to need in order for them to get the most out of their school experience.
All children are unique, so setting up an IEP helps to clearly define what sets your child apart and how the school can take additional steps to assist them during their educational journey.
That said, children also change significantly as they grow and develop. What your child needs today may not be what they need next year or the year after. How often should you review the IEP?
An annual review
In California, most IEPs are set up with an annual review. You do not necessarily have to make changes at this time, but it is good to go over the documentation every year, reviewing your child’s needs, determining what worked and what did not, and then making adjustments when necessary.
Naturally, you could review or update the IEP sooner if there was a distinct need to do so, such as if your child’s condition significantly changed. But in most cases, an annual review works best because it means that you consider the plan every time your child starts in a new grade or a new classroom. This can be especially helpful if they are going to have a new teacher every year, who needs to be aware of what is entailed in the IEP.
While you are drafting these documents, conducting a review or taking any other steps, be sure you know about all the legal options at your disposal.