Brief Explanation:

This circular will delineate individuals that must be present at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. As a reminder, only those individuals present at the IEP meeting may sign the IEP forms indicating their attendance.

Title 34 California Code of Regulations § 300.344 defines the minimum composition of the Special Education Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and is quoted, in part, as follows:

"(a) General. The public agency shall ensure that the IEP team for each child with a disability includes-

1. The parents of the child;
2. At least one regular education teacher of the child (if the child is, or may be, participating in the regular education environment);
3. At least one special education teacher of the child, or if appropriate, at least one special education provider of the child;
4. A representative of the public agency who-
   (i) Is qualified to provide, or supervise the provision of, specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities;
   1. Is knowledgeable about the general curriculum; and
   2. Is knowledgeable about the availability of resources of the public agency;
5. An individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results, who may be a member of the team described in paragraphs (a)(2) through (6) of this section;
6. At the discretion of the parent or the agency, other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, including related services personnel as appropriate; and
7. If appropriate, the child."

When it is not possible for the school site administrator to attend the IEP meeting, other credentialed personnel, with approval by the site administrator, may attend as the Administrative Designee. The individual so designated must meet the criteria of paragraph (4) above and shall not be providing any service to the student or assess the student in any manner for the current IEP. An Administrative Designee shall not sign the IEP as an IEP Team Participant if they did not attend the IEP Team meeting. In addition, Counselors shall not be utilized to meet the requirement for a general education teacher at the IEP Team meeting. However, the Counselor may attend as a representative who is knowledgeable about the general curriculum.

If you have any questions, please contact Bernice Stanley at (619) 225-3872.