What is the primary purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?

The primary purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is to establish individualized educational goals for students with disabilities. An IEP is a legally binding document that is created for each student who qualifies for special education services. It outlines specific educational objectives tailored to the unique needs of the student, taking into consideration their strengths and challenges.

This individualized approach ensures that students with disabilities receive the support and resources they require to succeed in their educational journey. The goals established in an IEP are measurable and time-bound, allowing for progress tracking and adjustments to be made as necessary to facilitate the student's development.

While outlining specialized education strategies can be part of what an IEP includes, the central focus is on the student's personalized educational goals. Monitoring general educational progress and ensuring compliance with standardized testing are also important aspects of the educational system, but they serve more as supportive functions rather than the primary purpose of the IEP itself.