IHBA Individualized Education Programs

It shall be the policy of the school unit to maintain a complete individualized education program (IEP) for each student who has been identified with a disability; in need of special education services under state and federal special education laws, and who is in attendance at RSU 1 schools. RSU 1 shall develop these IEPs in a manner consistent with the procedural requirements of state and federal special education laws.

Student IEPs shall be reasonably calculated to provide the identified student with educational benefits in the least restrictive educational environment. RSU 1 shall ensure that the student's IEP is implemented no later than 30 days after the IEP Team's initial identification of the student as a child with a disability in need of education and supportive services. All identified children with disabilities shall have a current IEP in effect at the start of each school year.

If the school unit is unable to hire or contract with the professional staff necessary to implement a child's IEP, it will reconvene an IEP Team to identify alternative service options. This IEP meeting shall occur no later than 30 days after the start of the school year or the date of the IEP Team's development of the IEP. The IEP Team, typically comprised of parents, an administrator, special education teacher, classroom teacher, and any others as appropriate, shall determine any amendments to the IEP necessary to reflect the inability to commence services as originally anticipated by the IEP Team.

All IEP's must be reviewed by the IEP Team at least annually, as prescribed by state and federal special education laws.

Legal Reference: 20 USC §§ 1414(d)

34 CFR § 300.320-.328 (2006)

Maine DOE Rule Ch. 101 § IX (3) (July 2011)

Adopted: June 8, 1992

Revised: August 27, 2012