When determining whether transportation should be listed as a related service in a student's IEP, which criterion should guide the district?

• A. It must be necessary for the student to benefit from the IEP.
• B. It is needed only if the family cannot transport the student.
• C. It should be included if it reduces overall district costs.
• D. It is required whenever a student has a disability, regardless of impact.

Answer: (A)

Transportation is included as a related service only when it is necessary for the student to benefit from the IEP. In the IEP process, the team looks at whether the student can access and participate in special education services with the support of transportation. If without transportation the student cannot meaningfully participate or benefit from the services, then transportation should be listed and provided. It isn’t determined by whether the family can transport the student, whether it would save district costs, or simply because the student has a disability. The decision hinges on the student’s ability to access and benefit from the IEP with the transportation support in place.