Amending Individualized Education Programs

An amendment to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) allows for necessary adjustments and modifications to better cater to a student's evolving needs and goals. 

The purpose of an IEP amendment is to make minor changes to a student’s IEP during the time the IEP is in effect. The parent of the student with a disability and the district may agree not to convene an IEP Team meeting for the purposes of making changes, and instead may develop a written document to amend or modify the current IEP. Although some contents of the IEP changes, an IEP amendment does not change, replace, or extend the current IEP annual review date. 

Although an IEP Team meeting is not required to amend an IEP, a district should consider the benefits of having input from and discussion with the IEP Team members before changes to a student’s IEP are made. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) does not limit what content can be revised without an IEP Team meeting, however, when substantial or comprehensive changes need to be made to a student’s IEP, it is recommended that an IEP Team meeting be convened to develop a new IEP.