Educational content from the office of Francisco J. Vizcarrondo. Free to read, without registration.
Special education adapts instructional content, methods, or delivery to address disability-related needs and provide access to the general curriculum. It is not limited to tutoring or to reading and mathematics.
Needs determine the program
If difficulties affect science, English, social studies, or another subject, the team must consider that information. The IEP must address identified educational needs, including functional needs; it need not contain a separate goal for every subject when one skill and its supports address multiple areas.
What should be documented
Identify current performance, the need, measurable goals, and the necessary instruction. Ask for frequency, duration, location, and start date. An accommodation such as extra time may facilitate access; it does not replace instruction in a skill the student needs to learn.
OSEP’s Chambers (2012) and McAndrews and Ramirez (2024) letters explain that practices also used in general education may belong in an IEP and that documentation must reflect the actual service commitment. These are interpretive IDEA guidance.
How to raise the concern
Bring work samples, evaluations, and reports showing the difficulty. Ask how instruction will change and how progress will be measured. If the change is refused, request the required written explanation. We can review whether the proposed program addresses documented needs.
The answer for your situation depends on the facts and records. An inquiry does not suspend legal deadlines or guarantee that the office will accept the case.
Reference sources
34 C.F.R. §300.39(a), (b)(3) · Instrucción especialmente diseñada / Specially designed instruction34 C.F.R. §300.320(a) · Contenido del PEI / IEP content34 C.F.R. §300.324(a)(4), (a)(6), (b) · Revisión y enmiendas / Review and amendmentsOSEP · Chambers, 9 mayo 2012, pp. 1–2 (orientación / guidance)OSEP · McAndrews y Ramirez, 5 septiembre 2024, pp. 2–3 (orientación / guidance)DEPR · Guía para la redacción del PEI 2026–2027Rules must be read in context. This explanation may require updating and individual review.