Text Box: Text Box: As a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (IDEIA), every IEP team is required to “consider” the need for assistive technology for every student in special education. This is noted in the law under the section of “Consideration of Special Factors”.  Our current 5b PLAFP document in TieNet has a checkbox under the Special Considerations heading concerning AT.  Assistive Technology (AT) should be considered if its use will help the student perform a skill (read, write, communicate, etc) more easily or efficiently, in the least restrictive environment or with less personal assistance.  Consideration needs to be done within every IEP meeting. Consideration should be a brief process and the team may discuss any of the following possibilities:   1. The current interventions are working and nothing new is needed.   2. AT is already being used and no changes are needed.   3. AT needs to be trialed and explored to find the best match for the student.  This option is an IEP team effort and the appropriate AT determination must be made by the team as a whole. Important: Specifically named equipment or software should never be written into an IEP.   When discussing assistive technology needs for the student at the IEP meeting, do not name a device in the IEP. It is best to use general terms about the features or process (e.g. rather than write—Use an AlphaSmart 3000 to write… state:  Use a word processor to write…). A systematic process with data supporting an AT need is required and a team determination of what that best match is must be completed prior to assigning any AT equipment or software to a student. Any allocation of district funds needed for purchase of AT requires approval from the Exceptional Education Executive Director.    If you have additional questions, please contact your Assistant Director