Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

An individualized education program (IEP) is a written document for students with disabilities ages 3 through 25 that outlines the student's educational needs and goals and any programs and services the intermediate school district (ISD) and/or its member district will provide to help the student make educational progress.

The document is written by the IEP team at an IEP team meeting. The IEP is reviewed at least once a year.

IEP Development

• Transition Services
  • Personal Curriculum
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development: Supplementary Aids and Services
  When developing an IEP for a student the IEP Team is required to include a description of the supplementary aids and services, based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable, including modifications, accommodations and supports for school personnel.
• Alternate Assessment Participation
  MI-Access is Michigan's alternate assessment system and is designed for students who have, or function as if they have, significant cognitive impairments, and whose IEP Team has determined that General Assessments, even with accommodations, are not appropriate.
• Measurable Annual Goals and Short-Term Objectives [PDF]
  IEP goals and objectives must include certain components to measure and report student progress.

• Measurable and Annual Goals and Short-Term Objectives - Substantive Compliance [PDF]
  Information for determining substantive compliance for the purposes of educational benefit.

• Standards for Extended School Year Services in Michigan [PDF]
  Extended School Year (ESY) services refer to special education and/or related services provided beyond the normal school year or school day for the purpose of providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to a student with a disability.
• Guidance for Extended School Year Services in Michigan [PDF]
  Extended School Year (ESY) services must be considered for every student with a disability at each IEP team meeting. This guidance defines ESY services and helps the IEP team determine whether a student needs ESY services.
• Graduation Decisions for Students with Disabilties [PDF]
  This document supports Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams in developing an individualized plan for graduation over a multi-year time frame.
• Guidance for Notice [PDF]
  Districts must follow certain requirements for providing notice.

IEP Implementation

• FAPE in the County Jail [PDF]
  Students with disabilities confined to county jails maintain their entitlement to special education programs and services and a free appropriate public education (FAPE) as specified in their individualized education program (IEP). This document provides information regarding the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Michigan Compiled Law (MCL), and Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) pertaining to eligible students (birth to 26) while they are confined to county jails in the state of Michigan.
• Provision of Special Education Services for Transfer Students [PDF]
  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) address how districts must handle the provision of special education for students who are currently eligible for special education programs and services and have transferred to a new district with a completed IEP.
• Providing Homebound and Hospitalized Educational Services for Michigan Public School Pupils [PDF]
  Districts must provide services to students who are homebound or hospitalized, including special education services for eligible students.
• Public Agency Placement of Students With Disabilities in Private Schools [PDF]
  Public agencies may place a student in a private school setting in order to provide a free appropriate public education. The Application for Private School Placement (located in the Public Agency Placement of Students With Disabilities in Private Schools document) must be completed and submitted to the Michigan Department of Education for approval.

Parent Friendly Resources

Family Matters is an outreach effort from the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education (MDE OSE) that provides parents with information about special education and other resources. Family Matters Fact Sheets explain special education laws, rules, and practices in parent friendly language. The fact sheets are easy to read and give links to more in-depth resources.