ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the steps involved in developing IFSPs and IEPs. Developing IFSPs and IEPs is mandated by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Both are legal documents. The IFSP details the types of services and interventions for children ages 0-3 and their families, while the IEP details the same for children ages 3—21. The IFSP emphasizes the child’s development as it relates to the child’s family’s needs and resources, whereas the IEP emphasizes the child’s learning in a school setting. Outcomes in the IFSP and measurable goals and benchmarks/objectives in the IEP are the central tenets of these documents. They describe detailed plans for what the child needs to learn in one year. Writing effective outcomes, goals, and benchmarks is a requirement for any well-developed education plan. IEP goals and objectives should be linked to the classroom curriculum—lessons, activities, and assessments. To help children achieve their goals and benchmarks, not only should parents and professionals partner together, but also professionals should also work collaboratively and in partnership with other professionals and paraprofessionals.
