Individualized Education Program (IEP)

New York State (NYS) regulations defines an IEP as a written statement for a student with a disability that is developed, reviewed and revised by a Committee on Special Education, Subcommittee on Special Education or Committee on Preschool Special Education.  The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the cornerstone of the special education process for each individual student with a disability.

The IEP is the tool that ensures a student has access to the general education curriculum and is provided the appropriate learning opportunities, accommodations, adaptations, specialized services and supports needed for the student to progress towards achieving the learning standards and to meet his or her unique needs related to the disability. Each student with a disability must have an IEP in effect by the beginning of each school year.  Federal and State laws and regulations specify the information that must be documented in each student’s IEP.  In NYS, IEPs must be on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education.

In November 2023, the following IEP forms and guidance documents were updated to conform to the permanent adoption the amendment of sections 19.5 of the Rules of the Board of Regents and Sections 100.2, 200.1, 200.7, 200.15, and 200.22 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to the prohibition of corporal punishment, aversive interventions, prone restraint, and seclusion; permitted use of timeout and restraint; and data collection. School districts should review these documents to ensure the current versions are being used and referenced.

• Model Student Information Summary Form and Mandatory IEP Form;
• General Directions to Use the State’s Mandatory IEP Form;
• Questions and Answers on the IEP, the State’s IEP Form, and Related Requirements; and
• Guide to Quality IEP Development and Implementation.