4.5.5 Composition of the IEP Team

In addition to one or both parents, the IEP team must be comprised of not less than one regular education teacher if the student is or may be participating in regular education, not less than one of the student’s special education teachers or providers, an officially designated representative (“ODR”) of the LEA, an individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results, any other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the student at the discretion of the parent or LEA, and the student with a disability, when appropriate.1  When it comes to invited members of the IEP team, the party who invited the individual to be a member of the IEP team is the party who determines whether that person has knowledge or special expertise regarding the student.2  Required members of the IEP team can be excused in whole or in part from attending the IEP team meeting if the parent and LEA agree in writing that attendance is not necessary because the member’s area of the curriculum or related services are not being modified or discussed at the meeting.3  The member can also be excused if the parent agrees in writing and the member submits, in writing to both the parent and the IEP team, input into the development of the IEP prior to the meeting.4

• 134 C.F.R. § 300.321(a); La. Bulletin 1706 § 321(A).
• 234 C.F.R. § 300.321(c); La. Bulletin 1706 § 321(7)(b).
• 334 C.F.R. § 300.321(e)(1); La. Bulletin 1706 § 321(E)(1).
• 434 C.F.R. § 300.321(e)(2); La. Bulletin 1706 § 321(E)(2).