DiscoverThe Intentional IEP PodcastE20. What Legally Has to Be in Every IEP
E20. What Legally Has to Be in Every IEP

E20. What Legally Has to Be in Every IEP

Update: 2025-09-15
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Description

If you’ve ever wondered what absolutely must be in every IEP you write — whether it’s your first or your 400th — this episode is for you. Stephanie breaks down the 8 legally required components of an IEP under IDEA, plus a few bonus considerations that often get overlooked but are just as important.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

  • Why present levels set the stage for everything else
  • How to write measurable annual goals that keep you compliant and meaningful
  • What IDEA says about progress monitoring and parent communication
  • The services, supports, and accommodations section — and why it must tie back to data
  • What to include in your LRE statement and why it’s one of the most litigated areas of an IEP
  • The logistics that make your plan actionable: start dates, frequency, location, and duration
  • Transition planning requirements (and why waiting until age 16 is often too late)
  • Placement decisions and the importance of considering general education first
  • Plus: extra legal requirements for students with specific needs

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what belongs in every IEP — no fluff, no “my district likes it this way,” just the federally required pieces that keep your paperwork compliant and your students supported.

Make IEP writing easier with the IEP Toolkit

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

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E20. What Legally Has to Be in Every IEP

E20. What Legally Has to Be in Every IEP