Individualized Education Plan

Here are some of my thoughts about the IEP video we watched.

Many professionals are brought together to help the child learn the best way they can

IEP means Individualized Education Plan.

Parents’ right and protections were discussed.

Early notification of the parent is important in order to get the best possible outcome with the child.

Discussion with the family about progress levels and goals is crucial.

Important to share the goals and fears of the family.  I, however, wished that the parents would have been given the opportunity to share these things themselves instead of having the discussion leader read their thoughts with them sitting there.  They could have said the things they felt to be most important themselves.

Giving the family time to prepare for the IEP and give them the opportunity to participate in the agenda is important.

Review of last year’s goal is this is an ongoing IEP.

Team members provide information in order to identify strengths and needs.

Social and emotional needs are included.

It is important for the parents and all the professionals there to understand the role of each member of the team.

It is important to give the parents a copy of the reports that have been made about the student PRIOR to the meeting in order to allow for the most information is shared.

Design goals and then the interventions needed to meet the goals.

Help the student to expand communication opportunities in order to understand their needs better.

The teachers work together to accomplish the goals.

It is good to check with the parents for understanding and agreement during the presentation.

It is important to let the parents know what resources are available to them.

I noticed that during the example IEP when the father was asked to speak, he wasn’t able to really explain his thought.  Instead, he said one thing and then was lectured for several minutes.  The teacher/discussion leaders should have allowed more time for him to speak and then asked follow up questions of the father in order to fully understand what he was trying to say.  It seemed they wanted to let him know that they were doing things correctly more than they wanted to hear what his thoughts were.

The most important thing in an IEP is the student’s needs

 Other than the lack of parent involvement, I felt this was a really good example of an IEP meeting.  I feel like I learned more about the process and all the professional who are involved in making the IEP successful.