Required IEP Sections in Nevada
What sections are required in an IEP in Nevada?
Nevada IEPs must contain all components required by federal law (34 CFR 300.320) as implemented through NAC 388.284. Required sections include: present levels of academic achievement and functional performance; measurable annual goals; a description of how the child's progress will be measured and parents informed; special education and related services, supplementary aids and services, and program modifications or supports for school personnel; an explanation of the extent to which the child will not participate with nondisabled peers; individual modifications for state and districtwide assessments (or an alternate assessment with justification); projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of services; and, beginning at age 14, transition service needs. Beginning not later than the first IEP in effect when the child turns 16, the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments and the transition services needed. On or before the date a student reaches age 17, the IEP must include a statement that the student has been informed of the rights that will devolve upon them at age 18, and this statement must be updated annually (NAC 388.284(m)). The Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction must approve the form used for IEP development, review, and revision (NRS 388.419).
What Nevada Requires
Present levels of academic achievement and functional performance must describe how the disability affects involvement and progress in the general curriculum (NAC 388.284; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)).
Measurable annual goals must address disability-related needs and enable progress in the general curriculum (NAC 388.284; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(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 (NAC 388.284; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Individual modifications for state assessments must be specified, or the IEP must explain why the student cannot participate and which alternate assessment is appropriate (NAC 388.284; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)).
Beginning at age 14, the IEP must address transition service needs; beginning at age 16, it must include measurable postsecondary goals and the transition services needed to achieve them (NAC 388.284(1); 34 CFR 300.320(b)).
On or before the student's 17th birthday, the IEP must state that the student has been informed of the rights that will transfer to them at age 18; this statement must be updated annually (NAC 388.284(m)).
The IEP form used must be approved by the Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction; no apportionment of state funds may be made until the program meets minimum state standards (NRS 388.419).
Key Timelines
The IEP must be in effect at the beginning of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Initial IEP must be developed within 30 days of the determination of eligibility for special education (NAC 388.281(13)(a)).
The IEP must be reviewed at least annually and revised as needed (NAC 388.290; 34 CFR 300.324).
Transition service needs must be addressed beginning at age 14 and measurable postsecondary goals must appear beginning not later than age 16, updated annually (NAC 388.284(1)).
Rights transfer notice must be included in the IEP on or before the student's 17th birthday and updated annually (NAC 388.284(m)).