A Place to Begin
The Role of the Parent: A Place to Begin in Your IEP Journey introduces parents to the special education process and the important role they play as members of the IEP team. This resource explains IDEA, FAPE, the key components of a high-quality IEP, and what parents can expect throughout the IEP journey. Designed to build understanding and confidence, it helps parents prepare to be informed, active partners in supporting their child's educational success.
El papel de los padres Un lugar para comenzar en su proceso del IEP (Spanish) |
المرحلة التمهيدية خالل مسار برنامج التعليم الفردي )IEP) (Arabic) |
Điểm Khởi Đầu Trong Hành Trình IEP Của Quý Vị (Vietnamese) |
IEP 之旅的起点 (Simplified Chinese)
Following federal law, learn about the specific elements required in the IEP.
Definición de un Programa de EducaciónIndividualizado (IEP) (Spanish) |
تعريف برنامج التعليم الفردي (IEP) (Arabic) |
Định Nghĩa về Chương Trình Giáo Dục Cá Nhân Hóa (IEP) (Vietnamese) |
个别化教育计划 (IEP) 的定义) (Simplified Chinese)
Fact Sheet Introduction to the IEP provides an overview of the foundational concepts that guide the development of high-quality IEPs. This resource explores the purpose of the IEP, Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), and educational benefit, helping to understand how these principles work together to create individualized, student-centered plans that support meaningful progress over time.
Introducción al IEP (Spanish) |
(IEP) مقدمة إلى برنامج التعليم الفردي (Arabic) |
Giới Thiệu về IEP (Vietnamese) |
IEP 简介 (Simplified Chinese)
Fact Sheet This transition checklist can support Early Start Service Coordinators (Part C), LEAs (Part B), and parents to prepare, plan, and implement the transition process while helping to clarify roles and responsibilities for each participant. This resource is also offered in multiple languages (see below).
Planificación para la transición: de la Parte C a la Parte B con la lista de verificación de transición de IDEA (Spanish) |
التخطيط لعملية الانتقال: القائمة المرجعية لعملية الانتقال من خدمات الجزء C إلى خدمات الجزء B من قانون تعليم الأفراد ذوي الإعاقات ) )IDEA (Arabic) |
Lập Kế Hoạch Chuyển Tiếp: Danh Sách Kiểm Tra Quá Trình Chuyển Tiếp Từ Phần C Sang Phần B Của IDEA (Vietnamese) |
过渡计划：IDEA C 部分至 B 部分过渡 检查表 (Simplified Chinese)
Tools In support of our families and fellow educators, It is important that we are familiar with procedural safeguards and stand ready and willing to answer questions regarding them as needed.
Fact Sheet This companion guide explains the procedural safeguards—the rights and protections provided under special education law—in clear, accessible language. It helps families and educators better understand these rights so they can support meaningful participation and informed decision-making throughout the IEP process.
Una guía complementaria para los padres (Spanish) |
Cẩm Nang Đồng Hành Dành Cho Phụ Huynh (Vietnamese) |
家长必备指南 (Simplified Chinese) |
دليل تكميلي ألولياء األمر (Arabic)
Special Education Timeline Resource
Calendarios para la educación especial en California (Spanish) |
الجداول الزمنية للتربية الخاصة في كاليفورنيا (Arabic) |
Lịch Trình Giáo Dục Đặc Biệt tại California (Vietnamese) |
加利福尼亚州特殊教育 时间表 (Simplified Chinese)
Fact Sheet The IEP Team provides an overview of the required members of the IEP team and the important role each person plays in developing a high-quality, student-centered IEP. This resource highlights the collaborative nature of the IEP process, emphasizes meaningful family and student participation, and reinforces the shared responsibility of creating individualized plans that support student success.
El equipo del IEP (Spanish) |
(IEP) فريق برنامج التعليم الفردي (Arabic) |
Nhóm Phụ Trách Chương Trình Giáo Dục Cá Nhân Hóa (IEP) (Vietnamese) |
IEP 团队 (Simplified Chinese)
Fact Sheet
Understanding Educational Benefit: How the 5 Key Components of a High Quality IEP Support Your Child
Understanding Educational Benefit helps parents understand how a high-quality IEP supports meaningful progress over time. This resource explains the connection between the five key components of a high-quality IEP and how they work together to provide the individualized supports, services, and opportunities that help students access learning, participate meaningfully, and make progress toward their goals.
Comprender el beneficio de educación (Spanish) |
فهم المنفعة التعليمية (Arabic) |
Tìm Hiểu Về Lợi Ích Giáo Dục (Vietnamese) |
了解教育成效 (Simplified Chinese)
Build shared understanding across systems with this side-by-side comparison of three key plans that support individuals with disabilities. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), and the High Quality IEPs Project, this resource explains the purpose, eligibility, services, and timelines of the Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), and Individual Program Plan (IPP)—helping families, educators, and partners better navigate how these plans work together to support learning, independence, and employment.
Información sobre la diferencia IEP, IPE y el IPP (Spanish) |
فهم الفرق بين (Arabic) |
Phân biệt (Vietnamese) |
理解 (Simplified Chinese)
Fact Sheet
Cómo entender las diferencias entre Plan de Servicio Familiar Individualizado (IFSP) y Programa de Educación Individualizado (IEP) (Spanish) |
استيعاب الفوارق بين خطة خدمة الأسرة الفردية )Individualized Family Service Plan, IFSP( وبرنامج التعليم الفردي )Individualized Education Program, IEP (Arabic) |
Hiểu Sự Khác Biệt Giữa Kế Hoạch Dịch Vụ Gia Đình Cá Nhân (Individualized Family Service Plan, IFSP) và Chương Trình Giáo Dục Cá Nhân (Individualized Education Program, IEP) (Vietnamese) |
了解两种计划的区别 个性化家庭服务计划 (Individualized Family Service Plan, IFSP) 与个性化教育计划 (Individualized Education Program, IEP) (Simplified Chinese)
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet Explore the history of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the growing support to states and localities in protecting the rights of infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families.
¿Qué es la IDEA? (Spanish) |
IDEA ما هو قانون (Arabic) |
IDEA là gì? (Vietnamese) |
什么是 IDEA? (Simplified Chinese)
Fact Sheet Building Strong Parent-School Partnerships explores practical strategies for strengthening trust, communication, and collaboration throughout the IEP journey. This resource introduces ten partnership practices that help parents build meaningful relationships with the IEP team, support shared decision-making, and create positive learning experiences centered on each child's strengths, needs, and success.
Cómo crear alianzas sólidas entre padres y escuelas (Spanish) |
بناء شراكات قوية بين أولياء األمور والمدرسة (Arabic) |
Xây Dựng Mối Quan Hệ Hợp Tác Bền Vững Giữa Phụ Huynh Và Nhà Trường (Vietnamese) |
建立稳固的家校合作关系 在整个个性化教育计划 (IEP) (Simplified Chinese)
Staying Organized on Your IEP Journey provides practical tools and strategies to help parents stay informed, prepared, and connected throughout the IEP process. Parents will learn simple ways to organize important documents, track meetings and progress, communicate with the IEP team, and prepare for meaningful participation using customizable templates and easy-to-implement organizational strategies.
Cómo mantenerse organizado en su proceso del IEP (Spanish) |
البقاء منظمًًا طوال رحلة برنامج التعليم الفردي (Arabic) |
Duy Trì Tính Tổ Chức trong Hành Trình IEP (Vietnamese) |
在您的 IEP 之旅中保持条理清晰 (Simplified Chinese)
Creating Self-Awareness helps parents better understand their own thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and experiences to strengthen communication, collaboration, and partnerships throughout the IEP journey. Through practical reflection activities and research-based tools, parents will explore concepts such as mental models, bias, social identity, emotional awareness, the Ladder of Inference, and growth mindset to build confidence and support meaningful participation in the IEP process.
Cómo desarrollar conciencia de uno mismo (Spanish) |
تنمية الوعي الذاتي (Arabic) |
Xây Dựng Nhận Thức Về Bản Thân (Vietnamese) |
培养自我认知 (Simplified Chinese)
This family resource supports meaningful conversations about disability, empathy, and inclusion at home. It offers simple discussion prompts, guidance for responding to common questions, everyday strategies for talking about differences, and book recommendations for children and parents. Curious Minds, Kind Hearts helps families nurture understanding, respect, and a sense of belonging—because everyone deserves to feel included.
cómo hablar sobre la discapacidad con su hijo (Spanish) |
التحدث عن اإلعاقة مع طفلك (Arabic) |
与孩子聊聊残障话题 (Simplified Chinese) |
Trò Chuyện Về Khuyết Tật Cùng Con (Vietnamese)
Tools An article for parents who are new to having a child with a disability.
Article If you have recently learned that your child has a developmental delay or a disability (which may or may not be completely defined), this message may be for you. It is written from the personal perspective of a parent who has shared this experience and all that goes with it.
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