How to Read an IEP: Louisiana State IEP Guide

Multiple bulletins spell out special education regulations for the approximately 117,000 students in Louisiana with IEPs (13% of enrollment; Louisiana DOE). These include Bulletin 1530, Louisiana’s IEP Handbook for Students with Exceptionalities. Bulletin 1530 adds on to IDEA significantly. The most interesting thing is the inclusion of Gifted and Talented in the IEP handbook. At the very beginning, 1530 states, “The term exceptionalities used in this document includes all disabilities identified under IDEA, including gifted and/or talented as defined in state law.” Then, throughout the IEP handbook, every section on the IEP includes specific references to gifted and talented students, up to and including Least Restrictive Environment. Given that gifted and talented is not part of IDEA or other federal special education laws (it is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act– not exceptionalities), its inclusion in Bulletin 1530 is really interesting. Other unique elements include that the term Official Designated Representative (ODR) is used instead of Local Education Agency (LEA) for the person who attends the IEP, that schools have the possibility of not having to do assessments over summer recess, and that parents must have the option of reports presented orally. In addition, Louisiana stands out in its specific language spelling out the continuum of placement within the state from resource rooms to separate schools, the detailed procedures for IEPs of students attending private schools, and a long description of the role of a parent at the IEP meeting; “Other team members shall rely on parents to contribute their perspective of the student outside of school. Parental insight about the student’s strengths and support needs, learning style, temperament, ability to work in various environments, and acquired adaptive skills is of vital importance to the team in making decisions about the student’s needs and services.” The state also has Bulletin 1706, Regulations for Implementation of the Children with Exceptionalities Act, a 156 page document that adds on to Bulletin 1530– and includes over 30 pages on gifted and talented students. Bulletin 1706 spells out details such as that the present levels should include, “how the student’s disability affects the student’s involvement and progress in the general education curriculum (i.e., the same curriculum as for non-disabled students).” Louisiana is a state with an enormous amount of school choice, and there are specific regulations and guidance on how school choice impacts students with disabilities. 

For parent resources check out Families Helping Families, a statewide network of regional PTI centers that also serves as the family resource center network, ARC of Louisiana, and Disability Rights Louisiana. Southern Poverty Law Center also published a guide, “Helping your child with a disability get a good education,” that has helpful tips and resources. The state has resources and parent rights on their special education page for parents.

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