IEP Service Delivery in Indiana
How are IEP services delivered in Indiana?
Indiana requires public agencies to maintain a continuum of placement options for students in kindergarten through the school year in which they turn 22, as specified in 511 IAC 7-42-10. The required continuum includes: (1) general education classroom with special education and related services during the instructional day; (2) resource room outside the general education classroom during the instructional day; (3) separate classroom in a general education school building; (4) separate public or nonpublic nonresidential school or facility; (5) public or nonpublic residential school or facility; and (6) homebound or hospital settings. For early childhood students, the continuum also includes general education programs, home-based services, and facility-based special education programs. Indiana does not prescribe specific class size ratios or staffing minimums in 511 IAC 7; service delivery specifics are primarily governed by the student's individual IEP as determined by the Case Conference Committee (CCC). The IEP must document the projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of each service (511 IAC 7-42-6(a)(9)). Services must be based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable (511 IAC 7-42-6(a)(5)). Special education cooperatives, established under IC 20-35-5, may deliver services across multiple school corporations. For homebound or out-of-school placements, the CCC must convene at least every 60 instructional days (511 IAC 7-42-5).
What Indiana Requires
Public agencies must maintain a continuum of placement options including general education, resource room, separate classroom, separate school, residential, and homebound/hospital settings (511 IAC 7-42-10).
The IEP must document the frequency, location, duration, and projected start date of each service (511 IAC 7-42-6(a)(9)).
Services must be based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable (511 IAC 7-42-6(a)(5)).
Placement decisions must be based on the student's individual IEP; the default placement is the school the student would attend if not disabled, unless the IEP requires otherwise (511 IAC 7-42-10).
Special education cooperatives under IC 20-35-5 may be established by school corporations to jointly provide special education programs and services.
For homebound or out-of-school placements, the CCC must convene at least every 60 instructional days (511 IAC 7-42-5).
Key Timelines
Services must begin on the projected start date documented in the IEP and be in effect at the beginning of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Placement decisions and service delivery models must be reviewed at least annually at the CCC meeting (511 IAC 7-42-7).
CCC meetings for homebound or out-of-school placements must occur at least every 60 instructional days (511 IAC 7-42-5).