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Special Education

IEP Development and Resources

The cornerstone of the IDEA is the entitlement of each eligible child with a disability to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the child’s unique needs and that prepare the child for further education, employment, and independent living. 20 U.S.C. §1400(d)(1)(A). Under the IDEA, the primary vehicle for providing FAPE is through an appropriately developed IEP that is based on the individual needs of the child.

An IEP must take into account a child’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, and the impact of that child’s disability on his or her involvement and progress in the general education curriculum. IEP goals must be aligned with grade-level content standards for all children with disabilities. The child’s IEP must be developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with the requirements outlined in the IDEA in 34 CFR 300.320 through §300.324.

Click here to learn more about the Office of Special Education's "Facilitated Individualized Education Program"

Model IEPs and Templates

• Model IEP Template - (revised August 2023)
• Model Speech-Only IEP Template - Fall 2023
• Interactive Decision Making Teams Guide - August 2022
• Comprehensive Student Support Plan(printable)
• New Jersey Communication Plan for Students that are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, orDeaf-Blind(Form Fillable)

Special Education Forms and Documents (Sample)

Use of the model forms is not required; however, providing the requested information will assist in expediting your request.

Invitation to a Meeting:

• Identification/Evaluation Planning Meeting
• Invitation to a Meeting – Request for Excusal of Required CST Member
  Area being discussed
  Area not being Discussed
• Student Invitation to an IEP Meeting - Transition Planning
  Turning Age 14
  Turning Age 16
• Consent to Invite Agency Representative(s)
  Student
  Parent
• Consent to Invite an Early Intervention Service Coordinator to an Initial IEP Meeting
• Disciplinary Action

Notices Following a Meeting:

• Initial Identification/Evaluation Planning
  Evaluation
  No Evaluation
• Initial Eligibility
  Eligible
  Not Eligible
• IEP Review
• Reevaluation Planning
  Assessment(s) will be conducted
  No assessment will be conducted
• Re-determination of Eligibility
  Eligible
  Not Eligible
• Disciplinary Action
  Interim Alternative Education Setting
  Manifestation Determination

Additional Forms and Notices:

• Manifestation Determination
• Request to Amend an IEP without a Meeting
• Triennial Reevaluation Cover Letter and Waiver
• Notice of Transfer of Rights
  Parent Version
  Student Version
• Summary of Performance
• Notice of Graduation
• Parental Revocation of Consent
  Meeting - Notice of Revocation of Consent
  No Meeting - Notice of Revocation of Consent

Other Forms and Documentation

• Private Schools for the Disabled Tuition Contract
• Special Education Tuition Contract Agreement
• Initial Uniform Application Process
  • Memo to School Districts
  • Sample Letter
  • NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Fact Sheet
  • Developmentally Disabled Uniform Application Act
  • Initial Uniform Application
  • Memo to school districts and service providers from the Offices of Special Education and Program Support Services
  • Request For IDEA Services - Non-Annotated
  • Service Plan Components (updated 2024)

  Resources for Consideration and IEP Development

  Development of the Transition Components in IEPs

  • Preparing for Successful Transition Planning (see Toolkit Topic 6 above)
  • Sample Activities/Strategies for Statements of Transition Services (pdf)
  • Sample Postsecondary Goals

  The information and resources relates to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and other Federal agencies. These resources also include technical assistance centers funded by the Department and other Federal agencies. The New Jersey Department of Education's Office of Special Education did not contibute to to development of these resources.

  USED Guidance and Resources

  • Return to School Roadmap: Development and Implementation of Individualized Education Programs (Sept. 30, 2021)

  Federally Funded Technical Assistance Centers’ Resources

  • OSEP Symposia Series
    • High Expectations and Appropriate Supports: The Importance of IEPs
    • Increasing Capacity for Developing High-Quality IEPs/IFSPs
    • Individualized Education Program

    IDEA 2004 Reauthorization Resources

    • Question-and-Answer Documents
      • Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Evaluations and Reevaluations: Word | PDF

      OSE Toolkit Resource Documents

      • Decision Making throughout the IEP Process
      • Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Decision Making Guide
      • Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Model IEP Form
      • Performance Area Checklist for Parents
      • Present Levels (PLAAFP) Checklist
      • Rationale for Removal from General Education Resource Guide
      • Resources for Addressing Student Needs in General Education Settings
      • Resource Tool for Considering Assistive Technology (RTCAT)
      • Selection of Supports in General Education Classrooms: Guiding Questions
      • Transition Planning for Students in a Separate Setting

      IEP Toolkit Resources

      • IEP Toolkit, Topic 1:Premeeting Preparation
      • IEP Toolkit, Topic 2:Developing Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs)
      • IEP Toolkit, Topic 3:Writing Goals and Objectives

      OSE Quick Links

      • • NJ Transition Toolkit
        • Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
        • Autism Support
        • Preschool Disabilities and Early Intervention
        • Intervention and Supports
          • Assistive Technology
          • Dyslexia
          • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)