Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) software

An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is a legally binding document that outlines the specialized instruction, services, accommodations, and goals for a student with a disability who qualifies for special education under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). The IEP is developed collaboratively by a team that includes parents, teachers, specialists, and administrators. It details the student's present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, the services they'll receive, and how progress will be monitored. An IEP ensures students with disabilities have access to the education they need to make meaningful progress.

A child qualifies for an IEP if they have one or more of the 13 disability categories recognized under IDEA and require specialized instruction to access their education. These categories include specific learning disabilities, autism, speech or language impairments, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, and others.

Qualification requires a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the school's multidisciplinary team, demonstrating that the disability adversely affects educational performance and that the child needs special education services, not just accommodations. The evaluation process examines academic achievement, cognitive abilities, and functional performance to determine eligibility.

Read about what parents can expect at an IEP eligibility meeting.

Polaris software streamlines the IEP process from planning and writing to implementation and monitoring, saving educators hours. With automated recommendations, SMART goals, and step-by-step guidance, Polaris provides a user-friendly platform that makes creating, monitoring, and adjusting IEPs easier and more effective.

Polaris is a comprehensive IEP software designed for special education needs. Unlike other IEP software, Polaris offers integrated assessments, standards-aligned SMART IEP goals, and collaboration tools that bring the entire IEP team together. Its data-driven approach and tailored recommendations set it apart, helping schools develop truly personalized and compliant education plans.

Yes, Polaris includes assessments and standards-aligned goals for students on both general education and extended standards. Teachers writing IEPs for students accessing either the general education curriculum or a modified core curriculum, such as Unique Learning System, benefit from Polaris’s guidance on IEP writing, instructional implementation, progress monitoring, and reporting.

No, Polaris is much more than a goal bank. Polaris recommends individualized, compliant, standards-aligned IEP SMART goals based on each student’s specific assessment data. Teachers can also customize IEP goals as needed to meet individual requirements.

No, Polaris analyzes the data for you. Collected data is presented in an easy-to-read, interpretive format in present level statements and as user-friendly graphs, allowing all IEP team members to quickly understand progress and insights.

No, Polaris supports students from preschool through transition age, addressing all academic areas of need, including reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Polaris also supports students with behavoral, motor, communication, social, emotional, adaptive, functional, vision, and hearing needs.

Polaris is specifically designed to support educators in creating standards-aligned SMART goals based on individual student data. With its intuitive setup, teachers can develop accurate, compliant goals that reflect each student’s current performance and specific needs, making sure that each IEP is meaningful and actionable.

Polaris simplifies tracking with easy-to-read reports and data visualization tools. As students progress, Polaris updates performance metrics in real time, allowing teachers to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed to support continuous growth.

An IEP is part of special education under IDEA and provides specialized instruction, related services, and accommodations for students who need special education to access their curriculum. A 504 plan, authorized under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, provides accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities who don't require specialized instruction but need support to access general education. IEPs involve more comprehensive services, detailed goals, and progress monitoring, while 504 plans focus on removing barriers through accommodations like extended time, preferential seating, or assistive technology. Students with IEPs receive special education services; students with 504 plans remain in general education with supports.

Learn more about the difference between IEPs and 504 plans.

IEP goals are measurable annual objectives tailored to a student's individual needs. Effective IEP goals follow the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Examples include: "By the end of the school year, [Student] will read grade-level text at 120 words per minute with 95% accuracy in three out of four trials." For math: "Given visual support, [Student] will solve two-step word problems involving addition and subtraction with 80% accuracy across four consecutive data collection sessions." For behavior: "[Student] will use a coping strategy (such as taking a break or using a calm-down tool) when frustrated, reducing classroom disruptions to fewer than two instances per week for six consecutive weeks." Goals should connect to state standards and focus on helping students make progress in their areas of need.

Yes, students with ADHD or autism can qualify for IEPs if their disability adversely affects their educational performance and they require specialized instruction. For students with ADHD, IEPs might include goals related to executive functioning, attention, task completion, and self-regulation, along with accommodations like breaks, reduced distractions, visual schedules, and organizational supports.

For autistic students, IEPs often address communication, social skills, sensory needs, and adaptive behaviors, with supports that might include structured routines, visual supports, social narratives, and sensory accommodations. Polaris includes goal banks and templates specifically designed for various disability categories, including ADHD and autism, making it easier for teams to develop appropriate, individualized plans. The key is ensuring the IEP addresses each student's unique strengths and needs while providing the services and supports necessary for them to access their education.