Individualized Education Program

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 requires that all students who receive special education services have measurable annual goal(s) included in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This may include academic (standards-based) and/or functional (non-standards-based) goals, based on the individual student’s needs, as documented in their Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statements.

The purpose of these goals, as is the purpose of all special education services, is to assist the student in accessing and progressing in the general curriculum. Academic (standards-based) goals are goals directly linked to progressing toward enrolled grade-level content standards; functional (non-standards-based) goals are goals that assist the student in accessing the enrolled grade-level content standards.

The following resources aid stakeholders in understanding the development and contents of a Standards-Based IEP. (PGC Network Website)

Online Training

IEP Goal Development in Texas (Online Training)

The Statewide Progress in the General Curriculum (PGC) Network, in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), has developed a free online training titled, IEP Goal Development in Texas (Online Training) V2 2017-2018.This free training (Session ID# 49038) is available in ESC-20 Connect20.

The training focuses on the portion of the ARD process related to developing a student's Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) and using the PLAAFP to create enrolled grade level measurable annual academic goals. The training should take approximately 2 - 3 hours to complete, and upon successful completion a certificate will be created. The intended audience is general and special educators who are involved in the ARD/IEP process, but other personnel, including parents, are welcome to participate.

Progress in the General Curriculum (PGC) Statewide Network

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Q&A Document

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Q&A Document (Spanish)

Case Study: Making Connections to the General Curriculum Through the 7 Step IEP Process

IEP Implementation and Progress Monitoring

Dear Colleague Letter 11/16/2015 Topic: FAPE

Contact Information

Valerie Moos, Education Specialist - valerie.moos@esc15.net

Christina Vasquez, Administrative Assistant - christina.vasquez@esc15.net