An action plan to develop an Individualized Education Program

If your child receives special education services, chances are you dread attending an annual planning meeting to develop their Individualized Education Program. Most parents find this session to be intimidating, but your next one can be different. Read on for an action plan that help you walk into that conference room with confidence. It is written by Lisa Simmons, a licensed teacher, author, & disability researcher.

Read last year's IEP - It's important to review what came out of last year's plan. Was it successful? Did the methods of instruction work? Did the measurement process used really tell you if progress was being made? Were the goals & objectives really functional for your child? Also try to think back to the actual meeting -- what part of the discussion did you feel least prepared for? Remembering will help you prepare better this time around.

 

 Update your advocacy notebook -- Hopefully you have a single book that allows you to keep all of your child's& information (evaluations, old IEPs, correspondence with school & service providers, etc.) organized & easily accessible. If there is new information from Dr.'s, teachers or related service providers that needs added to your book take care of the filing now. You'll be glad to have the most current information if the issue comes up during the  meeting.

 

Do your homework -- is there any new information on your child's disability, have you heard about any promising  new intervention strategies that caught your attention?  Now is the time to check them out. Research them on the  Internet or contact a local resource person who can tell you  more or provide you with information to review. 

• Come prepared to "grow" your team -- If you've found anything interesting during your research, the IEP meeting  is an excellent time to share this information. Rather than  contacting everyone individually or relying on 1 person to  pass on your information, you can share it with everyone at  once. If the information describe an intervention strategy  you would like used in this year's IEP then be sure to bring copies so everyone can look over the information at once  during the meeting. Few professional team members are  going to be willing to sign off on something they don't  understand or feel comfortable with. By helping them learn  you maximize your chances of getting what you want. 

• Make your list -- Once you're organized & your research  is complete is time to make your list. What are the issues you feel like really need to be addressed in your child's IEP.  Remember other team members may want to add additional items during your discussion, but you don't want  to be thinking afterwards, "Oh I really wanted to discuss X  & forgot to bring it up." Right now, while you're calm & not  under time pressure is the time to decide what the issues  are from your perspective. 

• Prioritize -- Because IEPs are a team process they by  their very nature demand compromise. So once you've  developed you list, you'll need to go back through & divide  it into 2 categories: 

         B) The issues that I am concerned about, but I'm not sure 
         how I want them addressed or what the critical components 
         are. On these issues I'm willing to compromise or settle for 
         minimal supports while we gather more information. 

•  Decide who's coming with you -- IEPs tend to be extremely anxiety provoking for parents. When you are  experiencing a lot of emotion it is unlikely that you will be  able to absorb all the information be given to you. Having someone else there who can listen to the discussion & take  notes will free you up to participate in the discussion &  focus on your own agenda. 

•  What about taping the meeting -- Recording IEP  meetings can be a touchy issue for many school districts. However, if you cannot find anyone to come with you to the  meeting you may want to consider tape recording it so that you can refer back to the discussion after you're home &  calm. One caution, you will need to notify the school that  you would like to tape record the meeting. Explain that it  will be only for your reference & ask if there are any school guidelines or policies that you should be aware of regarding  taping. Start this process as soon as you've been notified  about the meeting as some school districts have time guidelines that the notice of recording must be given at  least X amount of time before the meeting. 

• Determine your child's participation - If you see a future  of self-advocacy for your child, then it is important to  involve them in IEPs as early as possible. This will let them watch your advocacy skills & learn by imitation. It also give  you the opportunity to get their input on what & how they would like to learn. If you aren't comfortable with your child attending the meeting, then consider how their presence  can be felt by proxy. Two ways recommended by other  parents are: 

         A) Bring your child's picture & set it in the center of the 
         table - this should effectively remind everyone at the table 
         that the decisions made will impact the life of a real person 
         & shouldn't be arbitrary or for convenience sake. 

         B) Bring your child's portfolio -- originally developed to 
         introduce new teachers to your child, the portfolio 
         illustrates all that is unique & special about your child. This 
         is a wonderful way to remind participants that everyone 
         has strengths & special qualities to bring to the "table of 
         life". 

• Review your rights! -- Right before you attend a meeting filled with professionals is the perfect time to read  again how the federal laws "see" your role as parent. It will reinforce your feeling of importance within the team & also  ensure that no one surprises you with any "questionable"  tactics during the meeting. 

         © 2000, Lisa Simmons 
Lisa Simmons is the founder of the Ideal Lives Project. Visit her on the web at: http://www.ideallives.com or subscribe to her FREE newsletter, the Ideal Lives  Express atideallives-subscribe@topica.com