This document is a synthesis of literature from 1997-2002 on the individualized education program (IEP), a core component of federal and state laws on the education of students with disabilities. The first section identifies the significant changes related to the IEP in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. The following sections address parent involvement; assessment/accountability and accommodations (including perceptions and decision making on use of accommodations and specific accommodations); access to the general curriculum; teacher satisfaction; professional development; post-secondary transition; and special considerations such as behavior, limited English proficiency, visual and hearing impairments, and assistive technology. The paper concludes with a list of 10 related areas in which further research is recommended. (Contains approximately 200 references.) (DB)