LEAven Blog

IEP, ISP, 504, Initial Evaluation, Re-evaluation … These are just a few of the documents that are given to schools by public school districts that have evaluated and/or given services to students. Here’s a quick explanation of each of them and how they can be used.

Both Initial Evaluations and Re-evaluations are thick extremely wordy documents. They describe the health history of the child, in-depth testing information and results, and a statement of the team’s conclusions including a diagnostic statement that lists any disabilities that were found. While this is not the most exciting reading, it is worth it to get a better picture of the student. Look especially at the conclusions page. Private evaluations often also have a list of recommendations for the child.

An IEP is an Individualized Education Plan. This is given to a student who meets the criteria for an educational diagnosis. There will be a statement of the child’s disability and how it affects functioning in the classroom. You will also find goals that will be worked toward by the body that has provided the IEP. There will be a page enumerating the number of minutes of special education services being provided. Finally, and possibly most useful to you, there will be suggestions of classroom accommodations. While you are not obligated to follow these, it is usually in the best interest of the child to follow them as best as you can.

An ISP is an Individualized Service Plan. This is very similar to an IEP and is often used by public school districts to provide services to students enrolled in private schools. It will have the same information as an IEP but does not carry the legal weight that an IEP does. Again, look for the classroom recommendations that would help you accommodate this student.

A 504 Plan is given to students with a medical diagnosis that impacts functioning in school. Students with ADHD, anxiety disorder, or another health condition may have this plan. It should explain how the condition affects functioning in the classroom and list accommodations. As with the IEP, you are not legally obligated to use these accommodations, but they are very beneficially for the student.

Private evaluations and service plans will contain the same information as public school ones do. The biggest difference is that evaluations will not necessarily use the same criteria to make a diagnosis and so they may not be recognized by a school district.

Always look for recommendations and accommodations that will help a student succeed. Treat them like glasses that you would always use to help a child be successful rather than crutches that you use for a short time and then take away. Success does not mean that a learning challenge is cured. It means you are meeting the needs of the students.

May God bless your efforts!