Special Education (SPED)

The parent needs to talk to the child’s teacher or counselor regarding their child’s progress. The teacher will refer the child to the school’s Response to Intervention (RTI) team so interventions can be made as needed. If the RTI team feels the student is not making adequate progress with interventions in place, a referral to special education will be made. The parents are always part of the referral team.

An IEP is an Individualized Education Program written for a child with a disability who meets qualifications for one or more specific disabilities per federal law. The IEP is a legally binding document tailored specifically to a student’s unique and individual needs.

The IEP team must meet at least annually to discuss, review, and revise the IEP. An IEP meeting can be scheduled anytime throughout the year if the school or parent feels it is necessary.

Except for an Initial meeting to determine if a student is eligible for services for the first time, yes, the IEP team can meet without parents if:

1. The parents indicate via phone, in person, or in writing they agree with the team to meet without them; or

2. If the school has made 3 attempts to meet with parents with either no response from parents or no agreement on a date/time.

Either way, the school must provide parents with a copy of the IEP after the meeting if the parents are not present. Phone conferences can be an alternative way to have the IEP meeting if the parents cannot be there in person.