Which document outlines the educational plan for a student with disabilities?

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the key document that outlines the educational plan for a student with disabilities. This legally binding document is specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of the student and is developed collaboratively by a team that typically includes the student’s parents, educators, and other professionals. The IEP includes information such as the student’s current levels of academic achievement, specific goals for the school year, the special education services to be provided, and how the student's progress will be measured.

The IEP is pivotal because it ensures that students with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Each IEP must be reviewed and updated at least annually to reflect changes in the student’s needs and progress.

Other documents mentioned serve different purposes: a parental consent form is necessary for permission to conduct assessments or provide services, an annual evaluation report typically summarizes the student’s progress and the effectiveness of educational interventions rather than serving as a detailed educational plan, and a school policy manual provides general guidelines and rules for the school but does not address the specific needs of individual students.