FAPE Checklist: Free PDF FAPE Compliance Checklist

Over the years, I cannot even count how many times I’ve been asked if I have a FAPE checklist on the site. Now, I can finally answer with a “Yes!”

With input from teachers, advocates, parents and even a few school admins who I had look over this, this free FAPE compliance checklist is a great resource for anyone who cares about IEPs or FAPE.

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Oher common questions I get from parents are about FAPE. Why isn’t my school providing FAPE? Is my school providing FAPE? My school district seems to have a lot of issues–how can we know if they’re providing FAPE consistently?

Well, honestly, a FAPE checklist is a great place to start.

If you’re a teacher frustrated by the support you get from your admins (or don’t get, as the case may be), or if you’re a parent trying to troubleshoot issues in your district, a new admin trying to make meaningful changes in your district….then a checklist is great to see where you could focus your time and energy.

What is a FAPE checklist?

A FAPE checklist refers to a tool or guide used to ensure that a student with a disability is receiving a “Free Appropriate Public Education” (FAPE) as guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This checklist typically includes various components that help parents, educators, and advocates assess whether the educational program being provided meets the legal standards and adequately supports the student’s individual needs.

Who uses a FAPE checklist?

A FAPE checklist is typically used by:

1. Parents and Guardians: To ensure their child is receiving appropriate educational services as required by law. It helps them advocate effectively during IEP meetings and when communicating with the school.
2. Special Education Advocates: Professionals like special education advocates or attorneys use FAPE checklists to review and assess whether a school district is meeting its legal obligations under IDEA. This helps them provide accurate advice and representation to parents.
3. IEP Teams: Members of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, which includes educators, administrators, and special education professionals, might use a FAPE checklist to ensure they are following all legal requirements and providing a suitable education for the student.
4. School Administrators and Special Education Coordinators: They use FAPE checklists to audit their compliance with special education laws and ensure that all students with disabilities in their schools are receiving the education and services they are entitled to.
5. Attorneys and Legal Professionals: In cases of disputes between parents and school districts, attorneys might use a FAPE checklist to evaluate whether the school is fulfilling its legal obligations and to prepare for due process hearings or other legal actions.
6. Educational Consultants: Consultants who work with schools or families to improve special education services may use FAPE checklists to identify areas where the educational program may be lacking and suggest improvements.

Using a FAPE checklist helps all these stakeholders ensure that the educational rights of students with disabilities are being protected and that the services provided are adequate and appropriate.

Getting Started with a FAPE Checklist

The first step is to take an honest look at your building or district or even just a classroom, and answer the questions.

From there, you should be able to see gaps in the breakdown of delivering FAPE.

Depending on the size of the problem, committees or teams can be put together to fix the problems.

Creating a FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) checklist can be very helpful for schools to ensure they are meeting the legal and educational needs of students with disabilities.

Here’s a comprehensive checklist that a school might use to assess compliance with FAPE requirements under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act):

FAPE Compliance Checklist

1. Eligibility and Evaluation

• Initial Evaluation: Has the student been evaluated within 60 days of parental consent?
• Reevaluation: Is the student reevaluated at least once every three years or more frequently if needed?
• Eligibility Determination: Is there a documented determination of eligibility for special education services based on specific disability categories?

2. IEP Development

• Team Composition: Does the IEP team include the required members: parents, regular education teacher, special education teacher, LEA representative, and others with knowledge or special expertise regarding the child?
• Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP): Are the student’s current levels of performance clearly described in the IEP?
• Measurable Goals: Are the IEP goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART)?
• Progress Monitoring: Is there a clear plan for how and when the student’s progress toward goals will be measured and reported to parents?
• Accommodations and Modifications: Are necessary accommodations and modifications documented and implemented in both the IEP and classroom settings?
• Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP): If needed, is there a BIP in place that is based on a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)?

3. Service Provision

• Special Education Services: Are the required special education services being provided as outlined in the IEP?
• Related Services: Are related services (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy) provided as necessary for the child to benefit from their education?
• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): Is the student placed in the least restrictive environment where they can make meaningful progress?
• Assistive Technology: Is appropriate assistive technology provided if required to support the student’s educational needs?

4. Parent and Student Rights

• Parental Involvement: Are parents given meaningful opportunities to participate in IEP meetings and decisions regarding their child’s education?
• Prior Written Notice (PWN): Are parents provided with a PWN before the school proposes or refuses changes to the student’s educational program?
• Procedural Safeguards: Are parents informed of their procedural safeguards, including the right to due process and how to file a complaint if necessary?
• Transition Planning: For students aged 16 and older, is there a transition plan in place that outlines post-secondary goals and the services needed to reach them?

5. Progress and Reporting

• Regular Progress Reports: Are progress reports sent to parents as frequently as reports are provided for students without disabilities?
• Data Collection: Is data being collected and used to inform decisions regarding the student’s progress and necessary adjustments to the IEP?
• IEP Reviews and Revisions: Is the IEP reviewed annually, and are revisions made as needed to address any lack of expected progress?

6. Dispute Resolution

• Dispute Resolution Procedures: Are procedures in place for resolving disputes between the school and parents, including mediation and due process hearings?
• Documentation: Are all communications, meetings, and decisions properly documented?

7. Staff Training and Awareness

• Staff Training: Are all staff members involved in the student’s education trained on their specific roles in implementing the IEP?
• Awareness of Legal Obligations: Are all school personnel aware of the school’s legal obligations under IDEA and Section 504?

This checklist is designed to ensure that a school meets its obligations under IDEA and that students receive the services and supports necessary to benefit from their education​​​​​.

Compliance Action Plan

Once the checklist is completed, the team or committee should come up with an action plan for fixing issues.

Recommendation	Action Steps	Status
Enhance Legal Knowledge	Ongoing legal education, comprehensive coursework	✅ Implemented
Train General Educators	Embed special education strategies in training programs	⏳ In Progress
Engage Stakeholders	Training on communication and collaboration	✅ Implemented
Master Assessment Techniques	Focused training on assessments, practice opportunities	⏳ In Progress
Establish Measurable Annual Goals	Introduce SMART goal-setting, data utilization training	🔜 Planned
Monitor Student Progress Effectively	Train on progress monitoring tools, emphasize data usage	✅ Implemented

I’m always adding, updating and editing products. If you have any suggestions for this FAPE checklist, feel free to email me.