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How does an IEP change my child’s day?
The only way this changes your child's day at school is when they will have specially designed instruction and the accommodations they may require in the classroom. Sometimes, your child's specially designed instruction may look like co-teaching, so your child never leaves their peers. Other times, your child may come to the resource room for the minutes agreed upon to receive special instruction in the area they need additional support with. Within their day, your child may have other accommodations to support them while in the general education classroom. For example, if your child needs directions explained to them a second time or frequent check-ins from the teacher, they may spend a little more time with the general education than usual.
Who all will know my child has an IEP?
The short answer is the people that need to know. Adults that work with your child and may benefit from knowing the accommodations will be notified of the student's IEP. The general education teacher, any associates in the room that work with your child, and sometimes the specials teachers generally need to know that information. For example, if students are given a worksheet in music class with lengthy directions, the teacher may need to know to read those directions aloud to your student. Students and other adults will not be given that information.
Will my child know they have an IEP? Who talks to them?
This is a decision that is completely up to the parent. Sometimes, it may be helpful for the student to know why they spend time with additional adults working on a particular subject. It can also be helpful for kids to know to advocate for themselves. If they are aware of an accommodation they need, it can be helpful for them to be able to voice that aloud. Other times, the parents choose not to discuss that with the child. We respect the decision of the parent and will follow your lead. When questioned by any student, the special education team generally refer to ourselves as teachers that get to help anyone with whatever they need.
How do we make sure my child maintains a high self-esteem and doesn’t feel different?
We are living through a time in education where small group instruction of many sorts take place all day every day. Students may be removed from the classroom to talk with our counselor, therapist, receive Title reading instruction, special education instruction, interventions, TAG, or to work with Grant Wood AEA staff. We operate from the mindset that all students are our students, so kids are going every which way throughout the day. Your child will not be the only one getting pulled throughout the day! The resource room is also utilized for all sorts of students, not just students with IEPs. Lastly, we love to celebrate successes with our students and have kids help track their own growth. If you notice self-esteem becoming an issue at home or school staff notices changes in your child, this would be a time we would contact home to find a solution to the problem.
Will my child miss out on what other kids get to do?
If your student's specially designed instruction requires them to be removed from the room to work one to one or in a small group, they will miss some time in the general education classroom. We are careful to do this during times they are not missing important instruction. Generally, we remove them from independent work time following a reading lesson, math lesson, etc. We are also careful not to remove students from special events. For example, on days with holiday parties, birthdays, a special science lesson, or a field trip, we would not remove your child. These are times we would schedule around or try to make up missed time later in the week.
How do we know if the IEP is working?
For every goal area that we write into the IEP, we also write in a way to monitor the progress of that goal. Progress is monitored and graphed approximately every 2 weeks. The special education teacher reviews this graph regularly to ensure progress is being made. If it is not, the IEP team will reconvene to brainstorm possible solutions. The student's progress is reported to you each trimester, but we will absolutely update you more frequently if you prefer. Some parents like to have an update every two weeks.
What do I do if I have additional concerns?
Talk to the special education teacher, the general education teacher, or both of us. If we don't have the answer, we will guide you towards the person that does.
Does having an IEP change my child's report card?
No! The general education teacher will continue to grade your child based on the same standards they use to grade all other peers in the classroom. If the child is co-taught, the special education teacher and general education teacher may collaborate to determine the final grade. In addition to the report card, you will also receive a progress report from the IEP every trimester that pertains specifically to the goal area(s) we work on with your child. You will receive a copy of their updated graph as well as a written piece from the teacher on their progress and what we have been working on.
How long will my child have their IEP?
This varies for every child. Our goal is always to help our students gain the tools necessary to be successful at grade level and to be exited from the IEP. This looks different for everyone!