Disability people need education too


Springtime in Schools: Preparing for Individualized Education Plans

The ice is beginning to melt, and springtimesame way as parents. As you prepare for each
is just around the corner. For those of usstudent's IEP, I would encourage you to do
who either work in schools or have a child inthe  following:
school, this usually means the beginning of
the busy season we know as spring IEP time.1. Review your progress and anecdotal notes
For those of you who are unfamiliar with thisfrom  the  past  year.
process, annual Individualized Education
Plans (or IEPs) are usually completed in the2. Write a list of strengths and obstacles
spring for students receiving specialthat  you  see  in the classroom environment.
education services. As we begin to embark on
this busy time of year, it is important for3. Brainstorm ideas on how to overcome the
parents and educators alike to reflect on thestudent's  obstacles.
past year and the progress that the child
student has made, and look toward the future.4. Make a plan for where you would like to
see the student 1-2 years, 4-5 years, and
Parents of children with special needs8-10  years  from  now.
sometimes feel that they are not an integral
part of the IEP process. As you prepare for5. Send home parent questionnaires, and
your child's IEP, I would encourage you to dorequest parent input when beginning the IEP
the  following:planning  process.
1. Reflect in writing on the progress that6. Set-up a team meeting to review progress,
your  child  has  made  over  the  past year.and receive input from parents and all
professionals  involved  for  next  year.
2. Write a list of your child's current
strengths  and  obstacles.7. Consider typical developmental milestones
when planning and writing IEP goals and
3. Prioritize the obstacles your child faces,objectives: Do you need to work on another
and  write  down  ideas  to  overcome  them.developmental milestone before moving on to
something  else?
4. Write out where you would like to see your
child 1-2 years, 4-5 years, and 8-10 year8. Administer a questionnaire to each student
from  now.regarding enjoyable activities and his or her
learning  preferences.
5. Write down any goal or objective ideas
that you would like to see your child'sOnce again, it is crucial for school
school team work on with him or her in thepersonnel and parents to work together. By
next  year.planning ahead and asking for parent input,
the springtime IEP season can be more
6. Ask your child if he or she would like toenjoyable  and  promising  for  the  future!
learn about something in particular during
the  next  year  of  their  education.For parents and professionals alike, the IEP
season can be overwhelming. By planning ahead
After thinking and writing about your child,and thinking about your child or student's
it is a good idea to sit down with yourIEP, it can become a more enjoyable and
child's IEP team prior to the IEP to briefexciting experience for all. It is important
them on your thoughts, IEP ideas, and goalsto remember to work as a team, because as a
for the future. It is important to workteam we can accomplish so much more than we
together with school personnel in order tocan  individually!
achieve the most success. Remember: The more
we all work together, the greater the results"Working together, ordinary people can
we  can  achieve!perform extraordinary feats. They can lift
things a little higher, a little farther,
Educators of children with special needstowards excellence.
should reflect on their students in much the



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