Special Education Terms in North Dakota
What special education terms does North Dakota use?
North Dakota uses standard federal IDEA terminology in its special education statutes and rules, without state-specific renaming of disability categories or processes. Key terms used in North Dakota: 'Individualized Education Program' (IEP) is the standard term (NDCC § 15.1-32-09); 'Educational Support Team' or 'IEP Team' refers to the IEP team (NDAC 67-23-01-02; NDCC § 15.1-32-09); 'Free Appropriate Public Education' (FAPE) is the standard term (NDCC § 15.1-32-02); 'Least Restrictive Environment' (LRE) is the standard term (NDAC 67-23-01-01); 'Emotional Disturbance' is the federal term used in North Dakota (NDAC 67-23-02-05), unlike states that use 'Emotional or Behavioral Disorders'; 'Intellectual Disability' is the standard federal term used in North Dakota (NDAC 67-23-02-07). 'Special Education Cooperative' refers to the regional service delivery structures authorized under NDCC § 15.1-32-16 that help rural districts access specialized services. 'North Dakota Department of Public Instruction' (NDDPI) is the state educational agency (SEA) responsible for overseeing special education. 'Local Educational Agency' (LEA) is used for school districts consistent with federal terminology.
What North Dakota Requires
North Dakota uses standard federal IDEA disability category terminology — Emotional Disturbance (not EBD), Intellectual Disability (not DCD) — unlike some states that use alternative state-specific names (NDAC 67-23-02).
Special Education Cooperative: a regional entity authorized under NDCC § 15.1-32-16 that provides specialized services on behalf of member districts, particularly important for rural North Dakota.
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI): the state educational agency responsible for overseeing and monitoring special education compliance statewide.
IEP Team: the standard federal team composition is used in North Dakota — includes parents, general education teacher, special education teacher, LEA representative, evaluation interpreter, and student (when appropriate) (NDCC § 15.1-32-09; 34 CFR 300.321).
The term 'Developmental Delay' is available for children ages 3-9 in North Dakota, consistent with federal terminology (NDAC 67-23-02-01).
Key Timelines
IEP team must meet within 30 days of eligibility determination to develop the initial IEP (34 CFR 300.323(c)).
IEP team must meet at least annually to review and revise the IEP (NDAC 67-23-01-05).