Required IEP Sections in Alaska
What sections are required in an IEP in Alaska?
Alaska IEPs must contain all components required by federal law (34 CFR 300.320) as implemented through 4 AAC 52.540. Required sections include: present levels of academic achievement and functional performance; measurable annual goals; special education and related services, supplementary aids and services, and program modifications; an explanation of any non-participation with nondisabled peers; individual modifications for state and districtwide assessments; projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of services; and how progress toward goals will be measured and reported to parents. For students aged 16 and older, the IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals and transition services (4 AAC 52.550). At age 17, students must be notified that educational rights will transfer to them at age 18; at age 18, the IEP must document that transfer of rights has occurred (4 AAC 52.540(b)(8); AS § 14.30.191). Alaska additionally requires that the IEP team consider the student's need for assistive technology devices and services (4 AAC 52.540(c)). The IEP document must be signed by the IEP team members, and the district must provide parents a copy of the IEP (4 AAC 52.540(e)).
What Alaska Requires
Present levels of academic achievement and functional performance must describe how the disability affects involvement in the general curriculum (4 AAC 52.540(b)(1)).
Measurable annual goals must address disability-related needs and enable progress in the general curriculum; benchmarks or short-term objectives are required for students taking alternate assessments (4 AAC 52.540(b)(2)).
The IEP must specify all special education, related services, supplementary aids and services, and program modifications with projected start date, frequency, location, and duration (4 AAC 52.540(b)(4)-(6)).
Individual modifications for state and districtwide assessments must be specified, or the IEP must explain why the student cannot participate and which alternate assessment is appropriate (4 AAC 52.540(b)(5)).
Beginning at age 16 (or earlier when appropriate), the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals and transition services (4 AAC 52.550(a)).
At age 17, the student must be notified that educational rights transfer to them at age 18; this notification must be documented in the IEP (4 AAC 52.540(b)(8)).
The IEP team must consider the student's need for assistive technology devices and services (4 AAC 52.540(c)).
Parents must be provided a copy of the IEP at no cost (4 AAC 52.540(e)).
Key Timelines
The IEP must be in effect at the beginning of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a); 4 AAC 52.540).
Initial IEP must be developed within 30 days of the eligibility determination (34 CFR 300.323(c)).
The IEP must be reviewed at least annually and revised as needed (4 AAC 52.540(d)).
Prior written notice must be provided a reasonable time before the district proposes or refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of FAPE (4 AAC 52.450).