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Outline IEPs

Outline for Lesson 1: IEP Fundamentals

Introduction Letter: typical pre-1975 approach After 1975, drastically different approach IDEA FAPE - free appropriate public education IEP (Individualized Education Program) Order essential Legal compliance, educational utility IDEA mandates IEP as means to deliver FAPE IEPs must be both procedurally and substantively sufficient to provide FAPE Purposes of the IEP document and meetings Communication vehicle between parents and school Written commitment of resources Evaluation device Key ingredients central for developing and implementing IEPs Child's unique needs Special education and related services to meet needs Goals and objectives of services provided Necessary resources Extent of child's progress IEP Team membership and responsibilities Mandated members Parents or legal guardian Regular education teacher if applicable Special education teacher Individual to interpret evaluation results (not widely implemented) LEA representative Other individuals with special expertise When appropriate, the child with the disability For transition, the student and a representative from other agencies Responsibilities To review existing evaluation data, identify additional data needed To develop IEP To review and revise IEP To develop assessment plan to address behavior that led to suspension To review and modify existing behavioral intervention plan To determine alternative educational setting To conduct the manifestation determination review Required components of all IEPs Statement of child's present levels of educational performance Statement of measurable annual goals, including benchmarks, short-term objectives Statement of services and program modifications or support to be provided Explanation of extent to which child will not participate with non-disabled children Statements related to participation in assessment of student achievement Projected date for and details about services and modifications Statement about how progress will be measured and how parents will be informed Beginning at age 14, statements about transition services Access to the general curriculum General curriculum = curriculum used with non-disabled children Goals not needed for some parts of general curriculum If disability does not affect performance If only modifications or accommodations required Special education = specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet unique needs of a child with a disability Eli, an example To improve IEP quality, limit goals One for each distinct aspect of special education Include what special education instruction is being provided Include what special education instruction will enable child to do IEP goals are for special education services, not for general curriculum IEP addresses services to give special education student access to general curriculum Reading Following directions Paying attention Asking relevant questions Additional components and considerations Strengths of the child Parent concerns Required assistive technology Communication needs of child Initial or most recent evaluation Perhaps, positive behavior interventions, Braille, language and communication needs Extended school year (ESY) if needed for FAPE Minimizing paperwork and maximizing results Minimizing IEP paperwork Include only elements required by law Prioritize goals; include only most important IEP is minimum, not maximum Better management of paperwork Trained clerk, aide, volunteer Staff training - writing IEPs during meeting Eliminate preparation of "draft" IEPs Knowledge to deal with disagreements Maximizing results of IEP IEP accessible to all involved teachers and providers IEP shared with other school personnel without parental consent IEP written so that substitute/new teacher can see individual's needs IEP tells parents precisely what services child receives, results expected Technology and IEPs Word processing, database software to facilitate IEP work Software flexibility Caution about software programs requiring percentage figure as criteria Caution about using only goals and objectives found in software catalog Technology shouldn't sacrifice spirit of IDEA, letter of the law