Role of IEPs - reflection

It is clear that IEPs are critical for the success and overall educational development of a special needs child. But to be honest, it all has my head swimming a bit. 

Children with special needs first need to be assessed to determine if or what conditions they have that are disabling their learning.  This can be requested by the parent or school.  Once the assessment is complete the IEP team (consisting of the parents, the homeroom teacher, special education teacher and possibly the school principal and/or psychologist) meet to draw up the actual IEP.

What an IEP does:

An IEP must include, by law (IDEA):

• An evaluation of the students current abilities and progress

• Student goals

• What services and support the school will provide to assist the student reach the stated goals

• What the school will do (modifications and accommodations) to help the student progress

• What/if any accommodations the student will be allowed during standardized testing

• How and when the student will be reassessed to see if they are reaching/achieving the stated goals

• Plans that allow the student to transition between education levels (elementary to middle to high and onwards to college)

Once the IEP is complete and signed it is put into place and (hopefully) successful learning can begin for the student.

It is amazing that teachers and instructors (and the government) are now fully aware that not all children are the same.  And especially not all special needs are the same.  They vary greatly in the type of disabilities and in the severity of their condition.  Individualized educational plans allow for a tailor made educational learning environment that addresses and meets the needs of the students while still allowing for transmission of the materials that need covered. 

While one student may need adjustments made due to blindness, another may need changes due to a lower reading comprehension level.  These disabilities are not that the same and should not be treated the same, and IEPs allow for that.  They should ensure that “no child gets left behind” and that all measures are being taken to help advance that student into a stronger, more successful student. 

I think as a result of IEPs we will see multiple changes to the classrooms, schools, and manor in which instruction occurs.  But I think the three main changes will be 

1.   Differentiate learning will become standard in all classrooms and standardized testing will have to be greatly adjusted or removed in order to fully incorporate this style of teaching, 

2.   Learning aides – be it machines or human assistants – will be used in the classrooms in greater number to allow for great access to information and understanding, 

3.   All students, with or without special needs, will have IEPs so that maximum learning potential can be unlocked for everyone.