OSEP Dear Colleague on Aligning IEP with Standards

Student's IEP should be aligned with the state academic standard for the grade in which the child is enrolled. "Research has demonstrated that children with disabilities who struggle in reading and mathematics can successfully learn grade-level content and make significant academic progress when appropriate instruction, services, and supports are provided. 2 Conversely, low expectations can lead to children with disabilities receiving less challenging instruction that reflects below grade-level content standards, and thereby not learning what they need to succeed at the grade in which they are enrolled."