Individual Education Plan (IEP) Basics
The key to a good IEP is to
+ Know the student
+ Know the educational setting
+ Know your (and the student's, if in secondary school) goals.
+ Know (or know how to find) resources that can help reach those goals.
Many parents may not understand education-ese or medical-ese and be embarrassed to ask questions. They may feel overwhelmed or threatened by the large professional team, and afraid to tell what they know.
Large pupil loads may result in school personnel not having the time to get to know and understand each child. Some personnel may have a habit of ignoring parent input, stereotyping parents as ignorant of the educational field.
Sometimes the best way to bring your knowledge of your child together with the specialized knowledge of members of the professional team is to work with an advocate who can help to bridge gaps in understanding, to benefit the child, always keeping both strengths and needs in focus.
+ Know the student
+ Know the educational setting
+ Know your (and the student's, if in secondary school) goals.
+ Know (or know how to find) resources that can help reach those goals.
Many parents may not understand education-ese or medical-ese and be embarrassed to ask questions. They may feel overwhelmed or threatened by the large professional team, and afraid to tell what they know.
Large pupil loads may result in school personnel not having the time to get to know and understand each child. Some personnel may have a habit of ignoring parent input, stereotyping parents as ignorant of the educational field.
Sometimes the best way to bring your knowledge of your child together with the specialized knowledge of members of the professional team is to work with an advocate who can help to bridge gaps in understanding, to benefit the child, always keeping both strengths and needs in focus.
