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IEP Resources
By law, parents and legal guardians are equal members of a student’s IEP team. To assist parents and guardians in becoming well-informed team members, we are providing access to documents that answer frequently asked questions about special education.
What is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individualized Education Program, which is a written statement for each child with a disability that includes a description of the child's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance; a statement of annual goals; and a statement of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services provided to the child so that he/she/they may make appropriate progress on their annual goals. You can learn more about IEPs in the State of Maryland in Building IEPs with Maryland Families: What a Great Idea! [MSDE; Revised March 2018]
What does an IEP look like?
The Maryland IEP form was updated in July 2019. You can find a blank example here.
How does the IEP process work?
You can learn all about the "life cycle" of an IEP in A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Your Individualized Education Program (IEP) Rights and Responsibilities in Maryland. [MSDE; Revised October 2016]
What should I do to prepare for an IEP meeting?
The most important step you can take in advance of an IEP meeting is to familiarize yourself with the IEP that will be discussed at the meeting. The best way to organize your thoughts before the meeting is to write and submit the Parent Report that is included with your invitation to the IEP meeting. If you did not receive a blank Parent Report, you can download one here.
What are my parental rights in the special education process?
You can learn about your rights in Parental Rights: Maryland Procedural Safeguards Notice. [MSDE; Revised March 2019]