Eligibility
IEP ProcessDefinition
The determination made by a team (including the parents) that a child meets the criteria for one or more of the 13 disability categories under IDEA and needs special education services. Both conditions must be met: the child must have a qualifying disability AND need specially designed instruction because of that disability.
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Related Terms
The process of gathering information to determine whether a child has a disability and needs special education services. An evaluation must use a variety of assessment tools and strategies, cannot rely on a single measure, must be administered by trained professionals, and must assess all areas of suspected disability.
A written plan developed for each child eligible for special education services. The IEP describes the child's present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, the special education and related services to be provided, and how progress will be measured. It is a legally binding document that schools must follow.
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