1. Public Schools

IEP Process:

• Referral: A parent, teacher, or other professional refers students for special education evaluation.

• Assessment Plan: Within 15 days, the school provides an assessment plan for parent approval.

• Assessment: Evaluations are conducted within 60 days of signed consent.

• IEP Meeting: An IEP team (including parents, teachers, specialists, and administrators) meets to discuss assessment results and develop an IEP.

• Services Begin: If eligible, services start as soon as possible after the IEP is signed.

• Annual Review: The IEP is reviewed yearly; re-evaluations are required at least every 3 years (triennial).

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Key Features:

• Public schools must follow federal (IDEA) and state special education laws.

• The district (LEA—Local Educational Agency) is responsible for providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

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2. Charter Schools

IEP Process:

• Charter schools are public schools and must follow the same laws as traditional public schools.

• The process is nearly identical: referral, assessment, IEP meeting, service provision, annual/triennial reviews.

• Some charter schools are their own LEA for special education; others are part of a school district’s SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area).

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Key Features:

• Parents have the same rights.

• Services may be delivered by charter staff or the district, depending on the SELPA arrangement.

• The quality and availability of specialized staff might vary by charter.

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3. Private Schools

IEP Process:

• Private schools are not required to provide IEPs or special education services under IDEA.

• Public school districts must locate, identify, and evaluate students with disabilities in private schools (known as “child find”).

• For private school students, the district may offer a Service Plan (sometimes called an ISP, Individualized Services Plan), 

• Services (if provided) are usually limited and may be delivered at a public school or another location.

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Key Features:

• Private school students do not have the same right to FAPE as public/charter school students.