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that the program is tailored to each child’s needs while still offering access to grade-appropriate curriculum.

The IEP will need adjusting periodically to meet the child’s changing needs. Procedural safeguards legally require that schools issue a prior written notice to articulate the nature of the changes and request their signature to approve the changes to the IEP. This also applies to denying or expanding special education services.

After the school receives a prior written notice signed by the parents, the special education department can start transitioning the child from the first IEP to the next, which could include more testing. This “roll-over” step is one way in which special education teachers can demonstrate their partnership with families.