How to Read an IEP: Indiana State IEP Guide

511 Indiana Administrative Code Article 7 governs IEPs for approximately 175,000 Indiana students with IEPs (OSEP Annual Report to Congress). The 167 page code is regularly updated and includes everything from requirements to provide textbooks and similar materials; “The public agency shall provide to students with disabilities instructional materials and supplies comparable to those provided to nondisabled students,” to the maintenance of hearing aids, “the public agency must ensure that hearing aids worn in school by students who are deaf or hard of hearing are functioning properly.” Article 7 also describes exactly what assessments need to be done for each disability category, like specifying that a student has to have a functional behavioral assessment to qualify as a student with an emotional disability. Indiana calls IEP meetings “Case Conferences,” and IEP teams “Case Conference Committees.” The resulting document is still called an IEP. Other unique feature of the administrative code include the focus on choice code and minimum expenditure requirements for students at choice schools. 

The Indiana Department of Education’s special education page includes compliance guides, graduation information, child find resources, and some technical resources. The state used to have its own IEP program (Indiana IEP) but has transitioned to Power School’s Special Programs platform. Relative to states like Idaho, the Indiana Department of Education offers significantly fewer student, parent, and teacher resources for special education, although the state regulations themselves are much more comprehensive.

For parent resources,check out IN*SOURCE—Indiana’s federally funded PTI—which provides extensive IEP training and individual family support. Indiana Disability Rights provides legal advocacy, and Indiana Family to Family provides family-centered support for navigating IEP processes.

Relative to other states, Indiana does not provide significant centralized guidance on writing IEPs and special education procedures, beyond the state laws. Forms vary by district, although the state has a brief example blank IEP at the end of a parent guidance document. The Guardian Ad Litem organization has one as well. Real guidance comes at the school district level. For example, Dade schools have a policy and procedures guide as do Sarasota schools. The decentralization and lack of clear state guidance can make special education challenging in Florida.For parent resources, families can access the Family Network on Disabilities (FND), Disability Rights Florida, and Family Voices Florida. Procedural safeguards are available through the state.

For parent resources, contact the Family Network on Disabilities—Florida’s federally funded PTI—and Disability Rights Florida. The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and Family Care Council Florida provide community-based family support and IEP navigation assistance.

To see what IEPs look like in Florida– and guidance on how to read IEPs (and how to know if they are well written!), check out the IEP section guide below.