An IEP is an individualized education program, which certainly suggests that it should be created with that student’s specific needs in mind. But parents sometimes wonder if multiple students would be allowed to use the same program.
For example, a parent may have a child that they believe needs an IEP in order to thrive and be successful in school. At the same time, they may know other parents with students in the same school system who already have IEPs in place. If these parents testify that it has been successful for their child, the parent who is designing their plan may wonder if they can have a similar plan in place.
They do need to be unique
While some IEPs will have similarities, the U.S. Department of Education specifically notes that “each IEP must be designed for one student.” This means that it will actually be individualized for that student’s educational needs.
That said, understanding what has worked for other students can still be helpful. The DOE acknowledges that it can be useful for multiple people to pool their knowledge and experience while designing this plan. This could include school staff members, teachers, administrators and the parents themselves.
In other words, if a parent has seen success for a friend’s child, it is natural that they would want the same type of success for their child, and there may be things that can be learned from that approach. But every child still needs to have a unique plan in place that is focused on them.
The legal process
Are you a parent with a child who could benefit from an IEP? It is important to understand the legal process to get this set up and the steps you will need to take.