The Process

Understand the process of establishing a need, planning and implementing Special Education Services.

How to establish a need, develop and implement an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in Ohio.

Step 1: Referral

The process begins with a referral. This can come from either educators, administrators or parents. From here, the school must obtain parental consent for the student to be evaluated for services. With consent, parents and educators will complete the Evaluation Team Report (ETR) to make an informed decision on which assessments will be best suited for the needs of the student. When the plan in in place, parents are invited to the evaluation planning meeting to share the assessment information with parents and gain consent to perform these assessments.

Step 2: Eligibility Determination

Once the assessments are completed, the team will come together again to review the results. The team will discuss use the results to determine if the student meets the criteria for a disability and is eligible for an IEP. At this point, parents will sign on on the updated ETR information. This signature represents either acknowledgement that their student does not qualify for an IEP at this time, or serves as consent to continue the process and develop and Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Step 3: Develop the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Once consent is obtained from parents, the school must meet within 30 days of eligibility determination to develop the IEP. The meeting will host the students team (parents, educators, and additional necessary staff). If the student is aged 14 or older, they also must attend the meetings. The IEP will be developed to outline the students present needs, goals, and levels of achievement. Additionally, the IEP will give a clear and measurable plan for goals and support services to be provided.

Step 4: Implement and Monitor Services

Once the IEP is fully developed, and signed by the parents or guardians, it must be implemented and services begin. Educators and service providers will follow the guidelines of the IEP and collect data in the forms of work samples, checklists, observation or other indicated methods to monitor the growth and progress the student makes toward meeting their IEP goals. This data will be shared with parents or guardians periodically as well. The team will reconvene annually to evaluate the data, reassess the progress made toward goals and develop new goals to work on annually. At this meeting the IEP will be updated and parents will grant consent to the new standards and goals for their students. Students will be fully reevaluated every three years as required by the State of Ohio to determine continued eligibility.

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