IEP Accommodations in Maine
What IEP accommodations are available in Maine?
Maine IEPs must specify all accommodations that enable the student with a disability to access the general curriculum and participate in state and districtwide assessments. Under MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(1)(c), the IEP must include a statement of supplementary aids and services and program modifications to support the student in regular education settings. For state and districtwide assessments, the IEP must specify any individual appropriate accommodations; if the student will take an alternate assessment, the IEP must explain why the student cannot participate in the regular assessment and which alternate assessment is appropriate (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(1)(e)). Maine participates in the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) for reading and mathematics, NECAP Science, and the Maine Alternate Assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Accommodations must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE. All teachers and service providers must be informed of their specific responsibilities for implementing accommodations (34 CFR 300.323(d)). Maine law does not require separate documentation of accommodations vs. modifications beyond what appears in the IEP itself.
What Maine Requires
The IEP must specify all supplementary aids and services and program modifications to support the student's access to the general curriculum and participation with nondisabled peers (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(1)(c)).
For Maine state and districtwide assessments (MEA), the IEP must list individual appropriate accommodations (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(1)(e)).
If the student will take the Maine Alternate Assessment, the IEP must explain why the student cannot participate in the regular assessment (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(1)(e); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)).
All regular and special education teachers and related service providers must be informed of their responsibilities for implementing the student's accommodations (34 CFR 300.323(d)).
Accommodations must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (MUSER Ch. 101 § II(1); 34 CFR 300.17).
Key Timelines
Accommodations must be in effect at the beginning of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
IEP accommodations must be reviewed at least annually and revised as needed (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(5)).
Progress on the effectiveness of accommodations is reviewed through periodic progress reports (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(1)(g)).