The Special Ed Advocate
Preparing for IEP Meetings During COVID-19
by Pam & Pete Wright
Wrightslaw.com
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This newsletter is a 3 minute read (817 words).
Happy Wednesday! On this day in 1990, the Boston Red Sox hit 12 doubles in one game, setting a major league record.
If you are among the millions of parents who are preparing for IEP meetings, you need to keep three things in mind. Write these sentences on a page in your notebook so you can read them again if you get flustered.
- The IEP must include a plan to meet ALL your child's unique needs related to the disability.
- The IEP should tell you exactly what the school will do to address your child's needs.
- The IEP should give you ways to know if the IEP is working.
In this issue of The Special Ed Advocate, you will ...
- prepare for your next IEP meeting; learn to provide info and share concerns;
- take the IEP Pop-up Tool out for a spin;
- check out our Annual Summer Reading Sale - Everything is 25% Off!
1. Preparing for an IEP Meeting: Providing Information and Sharing Concerns by Pat Howey
"How can I prepare for my child's IEP meeting? What should I give to the school?
When should I provide information to the school?"
In Preparing for Your IEP Meeting, Indiana advocate Pat Howey describes the information you need to provide and concerns you need to share -- and why.
Link to article: https://www.wrightslaw.com/howey/iep.mtgs.info.concern.htm
As Pat explains, "If you want a good IEP for your child, you need to share your concerns and information you have about your child. This will help the IEP team do its job.
Pat stresses one eternal truth: "No One Likes Surprises." She focuses on educating parents about special education issues and helping parents secure quality special education services for their children.
Pat has worked as an advocate for over 30 years. She is the author of dozens of articles in Ask the Advocate at Wrightslaw.
2. Summer Reading Sale
Save 25% on all Wrightslaw products!
Immediate Training downloads and publications in all formats! Advocacy supplies too!
USE Coupon Code 071620
For bulk order discounts up to 50%, please call 877-529-4332 or send us an email.
Do You have Questions About IEPs? Check Out the IEP Pop-up Tool
Most parents, teachers and school personnel experience periods of confusion during IEP meetings. This often happens when one team member makes an authorotative statement that others think is incorrect. Perhaps you asked:
"Shouldn't my child's IEP include all the services he needs?"
OR
"How will I know if my child is making progress?"
OR
"My child is mainstreamed in regular ed classes. How can we know if the accommodations in his IEP are being implemented?"
The IEP Pop-Up Tool answers these questions and many more.
How does it work?
The IEP Pop-Up Tool is divided into twelve questions. When you click a question, you'll go to a new page that has the question, the answer, AND the federal law and/or regulations that support the answer AND other helpful resources.
The IEP Pop-Up Tool answers questions like these:
- Where does the IEP team get information for the Present Levels?
- What is a PLAAFP?
- How can I ensure the IEP will meet my child's needs?
- My child has behavior problems. How do you make behavior goals measurable?
- Should my child's IEP include all the services he needs?
- My school says the IEP is based on what is available. Is this right?
- What are related services in the IEP?
- Do all children with disabilities have a right to transportation as a related service?
- What about extracurricular activities in the IEP?
- How will I know if my child is making progress?
- My child is mainstreamed in regular ed classes. How can we ensure that he has accommodations that meet his needs?
- Should we include methodology in the IEP?
If you are a parents, teacher, service provider or other school staff, you oftem accurate, reliable answers to questions about IEPs.
Take the IEP PopUp Tool for a spin at your next IEP meetings. See if it works for you. Please drop us a line at IEP PopUp Tool if you find it helpful.
Revised: 07/29/20
