What are IEPs and ETRs?

IEPs and ETRs are common terms you might encounter, especially if your child needs speech, occupational, or physical therapy. In this guide, we will break down the basics of what each term refers to and provide some great resources if you’d like to dig deeper about the pieces and parts that make up IEPs and ETRs.

What is an IEP?

An IEP refers to an Individualized Education Program or an Individualized Education Plan.  This is a plan created for children with disabilities to help accommodate them in the school setting. Children who qualify for an IEP must meet the criteria covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

IEPs are for children 3 years of age and older. If your child is under the age of 3, they qualify for early intervention services.

An evaluation must be requested and approved to go forth with creating the IEP plan. The evaluation will be conducted by the IEP team to create a plan to help your child succeed in an academic environment. This could be simple accommodations for dyslexia or ADHD, such as being granted extra time for test-taking, or it could involve more intensive in-school sessions depending on what your child needs in order to be successful.

You as a parent are a key member of the IEP team and will be involved in the meetings so that you have an understanding of what the goals, plans, and accommodations are that are being provided for your child. This also lets you give your input and offer revisions for what you think your child needs.

To find out more about the contents of the IEP and who is a part of the IEP team, look at this guide created by the U.S. Department of Education.

What is an ETR?

An ETR stands for an Evaluation Team Report, and this is the evaluation required to see if your child qualifies for an IEP.

An ETR determines whether a child has a disability and qualifies for services through the school. It also determines what accommodations they will need.

Check out this video for more about the ETR process.

 

School-Based vs. Clinic Services

Your child’s therapist may ask to see a copy of your child’s IEP and ETR prior to an evaluation or request updated copies throughout therapy. Private therapists will look at what services the school is providing and what the school’s evaluation team determined in order to consider a plan of treatment through private services. Although similar interventions may be taken in school and clinic settings, school-based services will help accommodate your child in order to be successful academically, while clinic services target and accommodate a more broad range.

• Sources

  “A Guide to the Individualized Education Program,” U.S. Department of Education, accessed on March 15, 2022, https://www2.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html.

  Belsky, Gail, “What is an IEP?” understood.org, accessed on March 15, 2022, https://www.understood.org/articles/en/what-is-an-iep

  The Understood Team, “Navigating IEP Meetings,” understood.org, accessed on March 15, 2022, https://www.understood.org/articles/en/navigating-iep-meetings?_sp=d35aab9f-9207-48e3-96e5-4eb5eb6e7c38.1647379915941.

  The Understood Team, “Understanding Evaluations, understood.org, accessed on March 15, 2022, https://www.understood.org/articles/en/understanding-evaluations?_sp=d35aab9f-9207-48e3-96e5-4eb5eb6e7c38.1647379566448.

  The Understood Team, “Understanding IEPs,” understood.org, accessed on March 15, 2022, https://www.understood.org/articles/en/understanding-individualized-education-programs.