The 411 on the IEP

I'm sure you are familiar with the old parental lament, "If only kids came with an instruction manual!" Wishful thinking, right?
Or is it?
What if parents could work together with a team of experts to develop such a manual for their child? They could review the child's strengths and weaknesses, the parent's concerns, and the child's needs and formulate a plan including instructions for how to enable the child to be successful. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

Well, that's the general idea behind the IEP or Individualized Education Plan; although, as many parents who have been through the IEP process are aware, this is usually easier said than done.

Remember Dorothy from my earlier post here?

So, the idea is that you (the parent) and the other members of Dorothy's IEP team work together to develop (and on at least an annual basis review and when necessary, revise) a Plan for Dorothy's education.  GO TEAM!

Now, as a parent, the idea of developing an IEP may seem intimidating. It doesn't have to be. The key to a successful IEP meeting is to be prepared. First, make sure you have all of your child's records together, including any evaluations completed. If you don't have them, request them.

"How am I supposed to know what to put in an IEP?" you may ask.

Well, you'll be happy to know that lawmakers have been kind enough to provide a sort of road map, a Yellow Brick Road if you will, for us to follow in this regard. YAY LAWMAKERS!

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) Section 1414(d)(1)(A) defines the Individualized Education Plan as a written statement which includes the following information:

• the child's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance;
• measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals, designed to meet the child's needs;
• how the child's progress toward meeting the annual goals...will be measured and when periodic reports on the child's progress will be provided;
• special education and related services and supplementary aids and services to be provided and program modifications or supports
• an explanation of the extent to which, if any, the child will not participate with nondisabled children in the regular class
• any accommodations necessary for State and district wide assessments, or if the child is to take an alternative assessment, the reasons for and nature of said alternative assessment;
• the projected start date for services and modifications and the frequency, location and duration of each; and
• beginning prior to the student turning 16, postsecondary goals and transition services designed to help meet those goals.

A lot of good information there. But wait, there's MORE!

The IDEA also includes this handy dandy (and somewhat shorter) list of things you and your teammates are to consider when developing Dorothy's IEP conveniently located under Section 1414(d)(3). This list includes:

• the strengths of the child;
• the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child;
• the results of the initial (or in the case of a review/revision, the most recent) evaluation;
• the child's academic, developmental and functional needs; and
• special factors, when appropriate, such as behavioral issues, limited English language proficiency, communication needs, the need for Braille for the blind or visually impaired and/or the need for assistive technology.

I know it seems like a lot of information to cover in one meeting. This may lead many parents to wonder, "Shouldn't these decisions be left to the experts? How do I know what services or accommodations to ask for? What should the goals be? Are my expectations too high or too low?"

Let me answer the first question with another question: when it comes to the needs of your child, who is more of an expert than you? As I have said before, you are the only member of your child's IEP team with only your child's best interests at heart.


As to requesting the right services and formulating goals, there are many sources available to assist you.

• Review your child's most recent evaluation. It should help identify areas of strength and need.
• Research your child's disability. What are the latest treatments and therapies recommended? 
• Check out websites like Wrightslaw and The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. They are great resources and provide a wealth of information.
• Find a support group for parents with your child's disability. Parents often share their experiences and what types of services have proven successful (or unsuccessful) in the past. 
• Talk to your child's doctor. 
• Talk to an advocate. As advocates, we can review your child's records with you and help you prepare for the IEP meeting. We can even attend with you if you'd like.  

At least once each school year, the IEP team must meet to review how things are going (20 USC 1414(d)(4)). Did the child achieve the goals set? If not, why not? Does a change need to be made? If the goals were achieved, the IEP should be revised to include new goals. Has there been a reevaluation? Do you, as a parent, have any concerns to be addressed? You will want to prepare for each subsequent meeting in the same manner. Stay on top of things. If you do, you will ensure your child has the best possible chance for success.