The 411 on the IEP

I'm sure you are familiar with the old parental lament, "If only kids came with an instruction manual!" Wishful thinking, right? Or is it? What if parents could work together with a team of experts to develop such a manual for their child? They could review the child's strengths and weaknesses, the parent's concerns, and the child's needs and formulate a plan, including instructions, to enable the child to be successful. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Well, that's the general idea behind the IEP or Individualized Education Program; although, as many parents who have been through the IEP process are aware, this is usually much easier said than done.

For many parents, the prospect of attending an IEP meeting (ARD meeting here in Texas) and actively participating in the development of the IEP can be a bit overwhelming - but it doesn't have to be! The key to a successful IEP meeting is to be prepared. First, make sure you have all of your child's records together including medical records, reports and communications from the school/district and any evaluations completed. If you don't have them, request them in writing.

"How am I supposed to know what to put in an IEP?" you may ask. Well, you'll be happy to know that lawmakers have been kind enough to provide a sort of road map for us to follow in this regard. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (or IDEA) defines the Individualized Education Plan as a written statement which includes the following information:

• • The child's Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP);

• • A list of measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals, designed to meet the child's needs and enable them to be involved and progress in the general education curriculum;

• • An explanation of how the child's progress toward meeting the annual goals will be objectively measured and when periodic reports on the child's progress will be provided;

• • A statement of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services to be provided and any program modifications or supports necessary to allow the child to make progress toward achieving the goals set;

• • An explanation of the extent, if any, to which the child will not participate with non-disabled children in the regular class;

• • Any accommodations necessary for State and district wide assessments, or if the child is to take an alternative assessment, the reasons for and nature of that alternative assessment;

• • The projected start date for services and modifications and the frequency, location and duration of each; and

• • Beginning prior to the student turning 16, postsecondary goals and transition services designed to help meet those goals.

A lot of good information there. But wait, there's MORE! The IDEA also includes this handy dandy (and somewhat shorter) list of things you and your teammates need to consider when developing your child’s IEP. This list includes: 

• The strengths of the child;
• The concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child;
• The results of the initial (or in the case of a review/revision, the most recent) evaluation;
• The child's academic, developmental and functional needs; and
• Special factors, when appropriate, such as behavioral issues, limited English language proficiency, communication needs, the need for Braille for the blind or visually impaired and/or the need for assistive technology.

I know it seems like a lot of information to cover in one meeting. This may lead many parents to wonder, "Shouldn't these decisions be left to the experts? How do I know what services or accommodations to ask for? What should the goals be? Are my expectations too high or too low?"

Let me answer the first question with another question: when it comes to the needs of your child, who is more of an expert than you? Always remember, you are the only member of your child's IEP team with only your child's best interests at heart. As to requesting the right services and formulating goals, there are many sources available to assist you.

• Review your child's most recent evaluation. It should help identify areas of strength and, more importantly, areas of need to be addressed.

• Research your child's disability. What evidence-based practices, treatments and therapies have proven effective?

• Check out websites like Wrightslaw and the Center for Parent Information and Resources. They are great resources and provide a wealth of information.

• Find a support group for parents with your child's disability. Parents often share their experiences and what types of services have proven successful (or unsuccessful) for their children in the past.

• Talk to your child's doctor or health care provider. 

• Talk to an advocate. An advocate can review your child's records with you and help you prepare for the IEP meeting. Your advocate can even attend the meeting with you if you'd like.   

At least once each school year, the ARD Committee must meet to review how things are going. Did the child achieve the goals set? If not, why not? Does a change need to be made? If the goals were achieved, the IEP should be revised to include new and challenging goals. Is it time for a reevaluation (at least once every three years!)? Do you, as a parent, have any concerns you would like addressed? Keep in mind, if you do have concerns, or if you feel your child is not making sufficient progress, you do not have to wait until the annual meeting to address them. You have the right to request an IEP meeting at any time. You will want to prepare for each subsequent meeting in the same manner. Stay on top of things! If you do, you will ensure your child has the best possible chance for success.

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