The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that 13% of all children enrolled in public schools have some form of learning disability. Every parent wants the best for their children and while there are services available to children with special needs, understanding and navigating these services can raise even more questions. The primary roadmap to address differently-abled students’ needs is an IEP.
What exactly is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individualized Education Program. They’re assigned to any public school student who receives special education or related services. IEPs are designed to provide a completely individualized instructional program based on the special needs, challenges, and necessary accommodations for any given student.
Who is an IEP for?
Students who have differences in learning that cause some difficulty as defined by IDEA could benefit from and are typically granted an IEP.
Examples of these differences include the following:
- Autism
- Down’s Syndrome
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Dyslexia
- Processing disorders
- Speech impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Visual impairment
- Cognitive challenges
- Developmental delay
- Physical disabilities
How is an IEP Developed?
Now that we know what an IEP is and who they can help, let’s take a look at the step by step process of developing one.
Step 1: The state will identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities to decide who may need special education and/or related services. While it is the state’s responsibility to make this determination, parents are urged to request an evaluation if they suspect services are needed.
Step 2: The student undergoes an evaluation to assess their needs related to the disability in question. Afterward, the results are used to determine eligibility for special education including an IEP. If the parents should desire to challenge the results of the assessment, they can then request an Independent Educational Evaluation.
Step 3: Professionals in relevant fields such as psychologists, or speech, vision, or hearing specialists will meet with parents to discuss whether the child meets the criteria for a child with a disability according to the Individuals with Education and Disabilities ACT (IDEA). It is worth mentioning that not every child determined to have a disability is granted specialized educational programming.
Step 4: If the student’s disability is determined to affect his or her ability to learn and progress in a traditional classroom setting, an IEP team is assembled and tasked with creating an IEP for the student within 30 days of the determination.
Step 5: An IEP meeting is held between the relevant school personnel and parents. The parents are also allowed to bring along anyone else who can provide other insights into the student’s needs.
Step 6: An IEP is written and implemented. Upon receipt of parental consent, the school may begin providing special education and related services to the student, according to the IEP. If parents disagree with the terms of the IEP, they may request changes or petition the state education agency for a due process hearing.
Step 7: Parents receive a copy of the IEP and services begin being administered. All of the child’s teachers and service providers have access to the IEP and understand their role in carrying out the IEP.
Step 8: Parents receive regular reports on progress towards the goals outlined in the IEP. Parents must receive these reports as often as they would similar updates on regularly abled children.
Step 9: The IEP team reviews the IEP at least once per year, or more often if requested by the parent or school. Parents must be invited to attend these meetings and may suggest revisions at that time. The IEP is then revised if necessary.
Step 10: A child must be reevaluated at least once every three years, to determine whether or not he or she still qualifies under the IDEA, and to assess the child’s educational needs. Parents or teachers may request more frequent evaluations.
Final Thoughts
So with all of this being said, there is a lot involved in determining the need for, creating, and implementing an IEP. If your child has an IEP, and yet you feel he or she isn’t making substantial progress towards the stated goals within, we urge you to request a meeting with your IEP team.
During that meeting, it will be important to review the services your child is receiving, the frequency at which they receive the services, and progress towards the goals stated within their IEP. We advise requesting things such as work samples and documentation to best understand whether services provided match what your child needs.
IEPs are an extremely valuable tool in providing a more equitable education system. While they’re a great roadmap for accommodating students and setting goals, enlisting the help of an expert tutor can help tremendously in your child’s academic success. FLS tailors its approach to every individual, which has statistically been proven to help students with learning differences improve their math, reading, and overall study skills. Contact us today for a free consultation.
