Excuse me for using an acronym and not explaining myself!
"What is an IEP?," you ask.
This is what the government says:
"Each public school child who receives special education and related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Each IEP must be designed for one student and must be a truly individualized document. The IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel, and students (when appropriate) to work together to improve educational results for children with disabilities. The IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a disability.
To create an effective IEP, parents, teachers, other school staff--and often the student--must come together to look closely at the student's unique needs. These individuals pool knowledge, experience and commitment to design an educational program that will help the student be involved in, and progress in, the general curriculum. The IEP guides the delivery of special education supports and services for the student with a disability. Without a doubt, writing--and implementing--an effective IEP requires teamwork."
Here it is in easy-to-understand, non-government speak:
It is a meeting that special education students have once a year. Everyone who gives services to the student is generally in attendance: teacher, physical therapist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, and many more. There is usually also someone there representing the school district, parents, school psychologist, could be just about anyone (parent's attorney?)
At this meeting a document (contract?) is created which spells out what the IEP team would like the student to learn. It has goals and objectives. Blah, blah, blah.
IEP meetings can be very intimidating, especially if you are the only one wearing jeans.
Anyone else want to add their input?
Friday, November 9, 2007
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9 comments:
That is so funny -- your comment about being the only one wearing jeans. I am a special ed teacher and I always try to look nice on IEP days to impress the parents -- not make you feel bad! :0)
Laura
I'm also a parent member for our district, so I sit in on a lot of IEPs. And, yes, you captured it well. It's kind of a necessary evil.
Sigh.
I too find them intimidating especially as i am on my own.
I learnt not to wear jeans! So i know what you mean!
But what about the IUP's?
D.Q,
Go to your room!
Mom
IEP meetings can be very intimidating, especially if you are the only one wearing jeans.
I could see that, LOL!
Whoa! parents making the team cry??!! Never heard of that---rather, it is usually the parent crying or raging . . . I've cried and raged at nearly every meeting. If I had to name my top complaint, it is that the school is always trying to do the minimal, offer the minimal services, instead of trying to offer the most and the best.
Example of super-extreme-sadness: when the IEP gives up a goal---such as the OT has given up on getting Vic to do buttons and snaps, and shoe laces. There is no worse message for a parent to hear than "We cannot teach your child to perform this task--he seems not to be able to learn." Ugh.
Elements:
*present level of performance, which means the kid has to be tested at regular intervals--where I live, it is every 3 years;
*supports designed to allow the child to access his FAPE (free and appropriate public education);
*supports include spec ed, OT, PT, Speech, specially designed phys ed;
*goals, objectives, benchmarks---goals are broken down into "baby-steps" that the child will achieve on his way to the goal;
*very specific, measurable, behavioral, detailed (as in, Vic will compute 2- and 3-digit addition with 80% accuracy by the end of the first grading period);
*evaluation via objective testing, observation . . .
The "evaluation" part is where it falls apart for me. The testing is usually not enough objective testing, and too much "hearsay" (observation).
Yes, I agree, basically, that IEP meetings are to be loathed, hated, cried over, dreaded. Check your fire-arms at the door.
Chris and Vic
I think IEP's are like the dentist. You get nervous about what he may find, you don't feel comfortable speaking, (cause his hands are in your mouth) and you know there is the potential for pain.
I'm just glad they're only once a year. My worst case this year was that they held Merritt's IEP at a place that wasn't handicap assessible. Nice. Not.
*Proud wearer of jeans at IEP's!*
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