What is the purpose of an IEP?

The purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is to outline the educational needs of a student with disabilities and the specific support and services that will be provided to meet those needs. An IEP is legally mandated and serves as a customized plan tailored to the individual student, thus ensuring that they receive an equitable education that caters to their unique requirements.

The IEP comprehensively details the student’s current level of performance, goals for academic and functional progress, and the accommodations or modifications necessary for the student to thrive in an educational setting. This ensures that the student's specific strengths and challenges are addressed in a structured way.

Other choices, such as providing a general curriculum or tracking extracurricular activities, do not reflect the focused and individualized nature of an IEP. Additionally, while standardized testing preparation might be an aspect of a broader educational strategy, it is not the primary purpose of an IEP, which centers on the individual learning needs and support systems specific to each student.