Special Education Services - Understanding the IEP Process

Summary

This presentation covers the process of developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with disabilities. It begins by explaining the role of the Family and Community Connections Team, which supports parents through training, resources, and direct engagement. The session outlines key IEP components such as the student's profile, academic and functional performance levels, goals, specially designed instruction, accommodations, and related services. The importance of collaboration between parents and educators is emphasized, along with strategies for creating an inclusive educational experience. Additionally, parents are encouraged to reach out for further support and attend future informational sessions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Family and Community Connections Team supports parents by providing engagement opportunities, resources, and connecting families with community agents.
• 😀 The goal of the Family and Community Connections Team is to inform, empower, and facilitate support for families with students, especially those with disabilities.
• 😀 The IEP (Individualized Education Program) process includes receiving quality core instruction, followed by interventions, progress monitoring, and, if needed, a referral for special education services.
• 😀 A referral for special education can come from various sources, including the intervention team, parents, or outside providers, and aims to determine eligibility for one of the 14 disabling conditions.
• 😀 The IEP focuses on addressing the gap between a student's current level of performance and grade-level expectations, and includes goals, accommodations, and services tailored to the student's needs.
• 😀 The IEP process includes input from parents, who share concerns and their vision for their child's future, as well as the child's current strengths and needs.
• 😀 Specially designed instruction is adapted to meet the student's unique needs and may include adjustments to the curriculum, teaching methodology, or delivery of instruction.
• 😀 Annual goals are set to describe what a student is expected to accomplish within the year, with clear, measurable targets and observable behaviors.
• 😀 Accommodations, such as extended testing time or separate settings, are determined based on the student's needs and are designed to level the playing field in both classroom and testing settings.
• 😀 The IEP team also considers related services, like occupational therapy, physical therapy, and transportation, which are provided when necessary to support the student’s educational needs.
• 😀 Extended school year services (ESY) are considered if the student risks regressing during breaks and cannot regain skills in a reasonable amount of time or if there are critical skills that must be developed during breaks.
• 😀 Feedback from parents is encouraged, with surveys provided after presentations to ensure future sessions meet their needs and improve the overall IEP process understanding.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the Family and Community Connections team?

The Family and Community Connections team aims to support families by providing parent engagement opportunities, answering questions, and connecting families with resources to help them support their students, particularly those with disabilities.

What steps must occur before a student is eligible for an IEP?

Before a student is eligible for an IEP, they must receive quality core instruction, followed by Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) interventions if needed. If a disability is suspected, a referral to special education services is made, and the IEP team will review data and evaluations to determine eligibility.

What does the IEP team do once a student is found eligible for special education services?

Once a student is determined eligible for special education, the IEP team develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that addresses the student's current level of performance, goals, accommodations, and the services required to support their learning.

What is the purpose of the student profile in the IEP?

The student profile provides an overview of the student’s strengths, concerns, and the vision for their future. It involves active participation from the parents, who share their insights and hopes for the child, whether for the near future or longer-term aspirations.

How does the Present Level of Academic and Functional Performance impact the IEP?

The Present Level of Academic and Functional Performance offers a comprehensive view of the student’s current abilities and challenges. This information is crucial as it informs the goals, services, and accommodations the student will need to progress in their education.

What are the key components included in the IEP's annual goals?

Annual goals in the IEP are developed to address the student’s critical needs. Each goal includes three elements: the condition under which the goal will be achieved (e.g., with verbal prompts), a clearly defined skill or behavior to be worked on, and measurable outcomes (e.g., achieving a goal in a certain number of trials).

How does the IEP team decide on accommodations for a student?

The IEP team determines accommodations based on the student’s specific needs, as evidenced by data. These accommodations help level the playing field, ensuring that the student can access education in the classroom and during testing. The team also decides how and when these accommodations will be implemented.

What are Extended School Year (ESY) services, and how are they determined?

Extended School Year services are additional educational services provided during school breaks to prevent regression. The IEP team determines the need for ESY based on factors such as whether the student is at risk of regressing, whether they would benefit from continued services, and whether they are demonstrating emerging skills that would be lost without services.

Why is it important for parents to participate in the IEP process?

Parent participation in the IEP process is essential because it ensures that the team understands the child’s strengths, needs, and family concerns. Parents play a key role in shaping the vision for the child’s education and advocating for the resources and services the child needs.

What should parents do if they have questions about the IEP process or their child's needs?

Parents are encouraged to contact the Family and Community Connections team for support and guidance. The team is available to answer questions, help navigate the IEP process, and provide resources specific to the child’s needs.