According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA, 1997), public schools are required to provide a free and appropriate education for all students regardless of their area of disability.  The Special Education Team at Cunningham Park works to ensure that every student at our school receives an appropriate, quality education.  As educators, we remain focused on the individual needs of each special education student through the development of the Individualized Education Program (IEP). 

What is the IEP?

The IEP is a legal document which contains the yearly academic, social, and emotional goals for a particular student.  The document is developed only after the student has been found eligible for special education services. 

What are the Components of the IEP?

•  Present Level of Performance:  Through assessments, special education teachers determine a child’s current strengths and weaknesses in academics, social skills, and/or life skills.  The results of these assessments are recorded on the IEP.
•  Annual Goals and Short Term Objectives: Once an area of weakness has been determined, goals are written to match the needs of the student.  Annual goals represent what a student should be able to do within one year.  Short term objectives are written as steps the student will need to master in order to achieve the annual goal.
•  Assessment Status: The IEP includes the assessment method and frequency for each goal and objective. 
•  Related Services:  Speech, physical therapy, and occupational therapy are related services that may be included in a student’s individualized educational program.  Eligibility for these services is determined through assessments given by trained specialists. 
• Frequency of Services:  The total number of hours of special education services a child receives each week is recorded on the IEP.
•  Placement:  The IEP outlines the setting in which the specialized instruction will take place.  Placement options include the general education classroom, a resource room, or a special education homeroom. 

The IEP team determines the goals, assessments, related services, and frequency of services for the student.  The IEP team consists of the following members:

•  Special Education Teacher
•  General Education Teacher
•  Principal or Principal’s Designee
•  Related Service Personal (Speech/Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists)
•  Parents

As members of the IEP team, parents of special education students are given a unique opportunity to participate in the development of their child’s education program.  At Cunningham Park, we welcome the participation of parents in this important process.  We ask that you share with us your personal goals for your child.  As a team, we can work to incorporate these goals into the IEP. 

If you have any questions about local screening or special education, please call any teacher on the special education team at Cunningham Park.