Comparing special education systems across Europe
The useful comparison is not “Which country has an IEP?” but who identifies need, who provides support, who makes formal decisions and how families can review or challenge them.
Five things that commonly differ
Terminology
Countries use different terms for special educational needs, disability, individual planning, adjustments and specialist provision.
Decision-making level
Responsibilities may sit nationally or with regions, states, municipalities, cantons, language communities, school partnerships or individual schools.
Assessment
The professionals involved, eligibility thresholds and relationship between educational and medical assessment vary.
Placement and support
Mainstream inclusion, specialist classes and specialist schools exist in different combinations and under different rules.
Review and challenge
Complaint, mediation, administrative review and appeal routes are jurisdiction-specific.
A safer way to compare
For any country, identify: the school-level support process; the authority responsible for additional provision; the written plan or decision used locally; the review cycle; and the complaint or appeal route. Avoid importing terminology from another country.