Amendments

Between a student's annual IEP meetings, the IEP team may decide to make changes to the relevant section(s) of the IEP rather than redrafting the entire document.

When completing an amendment, be sure that there continues to be alignment between the information in the PLAAFP, the goals, progress monitoring procedures, and identified services.

An IEP team meeting is not required for all amendments (see Option A below), but there are circumstances where a meeting should be held (see Option B).

If the student's parent(s) and the district agree not to convene an IEP team meeting to discuss the proposed amendment, the proposal must be reviewed either through an informal group discussion or through the case manager connecting with team members separately (in person, over the phone, or via written communication, or during an intake meeting).

Some examples of circumstances where this would be appropriate:

• To modify existing IEP goals and/or short-term objectives (e.g., changes to measurement tool, goal target)

• To make moderate adjustments to the duration and/or frequency of a direct, indirect, or related service

• To add, delete, or modify a supplementary aid (e.g., accommodation, modification, or AT), service (e.g., paraprofessional support), or support to school personnel

• To change a transportation provision

• To change language related to state or district-wide assessment

• For minor omissions/corrections

• A new student starting in one of our sped programs.

When an IEP team meeting (Option B) is not held, all discussions, decision making, and commitment of resources must include communication with the parent, the student (if transition age), and all other IEP team members whose participation is relevant to the part(s) of the IEP being amended. If it becomes apparent that discussion, decision making, and commitment of resources cannot be completed without a formal meeting, the full IEP team must convene.

Documents Sent to Parent & Filed in the Student's SpEd Records:

1. A copy of the amended IEP and (if applicable) BSP

2. Prior Written Notice (PWN). A statement must be added to the "5. Additional Relevant Factors" section of the PWN. This example statement is included in the dropdown in SpEd Forms: "The Parent and District voluntarily agree to amend the current IEP outside of an IEP meeting and without convening a full IEP team. In agreeing to amend the IEP in this manner, it is understood that amending the IEP does not change the required annual review date and the entire IEP team will be informed of the changes made to the IEP."

A meeting must be held:

• To add or remove an annual IEP goal

• To add, remove, or considerably adjust the frequency/duration of a direct, indirect, or related service

• To propose a change in federal setting

• If requested by the parent or the school

All IEP team attendance, documentation, and notice requirements covering annual IEP meetings also apply when a district convenes an IEP team meeting to consider a proposed IEP amendment. Before the meeting, the case manager should identify the change that needs to be made, collect supporting data, determine who needs to be at the meeting, and send a Notice of Team Meeting.

Documents Sent to Parent & Filed in the Student's SpEd Records:

1. A copy of the amended IEP and (if applicable) BSP

2. Prior Written Notice (PWN)

3. Notice & Record of Team Meeting