When having your child assessed for an IEP, you should make sure that you and the school have exhausted all other options. Most importantly, consider has the school taken the proper procedures in ensuring that your student is succeeding to their best ability? In other words, has the school provided accommodations for your child in the area(s) of need?
In recent years, there has been a huge initiative for all schools across the nation to implement MTSS (Multi-Tier Systems of Support). What this does is, seemingly place students into groups based on their levels. It’s assumed that 80% of all students will receive regular education with no extra support needed, 15% may require supplemental support, and 5% may require special education. If your child is not in the 80%, meaning that they have some type of struggles in the classroom, they should be receiving accommodations to help them succeed. For example, if your student is having difficulty in reading, they should be considered a part of the 15% and receive support such as small group reading, peer learning, or reading materials that the teacher has chunked (broken down into smaller pieces to ensure comprehension). If your student is still not successful after a couple of months, then you should look into getting your child assessed for an IEP. If MTSS is done correctly, only a small percentage of school-aged children will actually require an IEP.
Once evaluated and found eligible for special education, there are two options. A 504 plan, which provides accommodations for medical reasons such as ADHD (Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder), or an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) which actually modifies and remediates the student’s academics to their skill level. A 504 plan can provide such supports as preferential seating if the student is easily distracted, or a visual to keep them on task. This option allows your student to stay in general education with a few supplemental supports. On the other hand, an IEP is more invasive and can require a change of academic placement if warranted. Keep in mind that the school should start with the least restrictive environment. For instance, the student should begin their special education in the general education classroom with modified assignments. If your student is having difficulty with Math, there should be assignments specific to your student and their particular area of struggle. If remediation in the regular education classroom does not work, then a discussion with the parents should be had to move the student to a special education classroom in which all students have IEPs.
As a parent, if your child needs an IEP to be successful in school, do not shy away from it simply because of the perceived implications. Instead, be open-minded about the benefits that it can have on your child’s education. IEPs have been proven effective and can be the difference between your child receiving the best education suited for them versus your child struggling in classes without the proper supports. It is important for you, the parent, to keep in mind that the stigma of an IEP needs to be erased and it starts with the parents’ perception. I have talked to some of my students who have IEPs and let them know that they are not “stupid” which some of them had perceived themselves to be. I let them know that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and that their weaknesses just happen to need extra support to get them to learn to their best ability. I follow up examples of successful individuals that had an IEP or would have qualified as having one had it been available. For example, I use Albert Einstein quite often. He was labeled as being Intellectually Disabled but as we have come to realize, he was quite the genius. I also give examples of individuals that I know personally that are now principals, lawyers, and doctors that had an IEP throughout the school.
Lastly, keep in mind that special education is not a parking lot. Just because your child initially qualifies as having a disability does not necessarily mean that s/he will require those services or label for the rest of their academic life. The goal of special education these days is to provide the services early in hopes that the intervention will lead your child to become an independent successful learner that can use the strategies and techniques that were taught during the special education years. Above all, let your student know, they are not the label. Refuse to accept the label. Rather, focus on your child’s strengths and seek to improve their weaknesses given the best academic options offered.
Comments
Very well written. Good job!
This was very helpful and educational. Very well written and explained.
Thank you so much for this information! It is so important for parents, stakeholders and educators as well to have a more clear understanding of MTSS and IEP’s as well as what to look for. I look forward to more from you Nicole.
This is excellent information! Thank you for sharing it. I hope parents take your advice to ignore the label!
Awesome Content and great advice!
Thanks for sharing, this is very helpful information!
This was very eye opening. Made me view IEP’s differently. It’s hard in the urban community, because as a parent you don’t want a label put on your child. But that “label” could potentially help your child in the long run.
Thank you for this information.
I am a parent currently considering if I should have an IEP implemented for my son. He struggles in reading. This article is extremely informative and helpful in making the right decision for my son.
Thank you!
I’ve always wondered about the process because my kid had been struggling in school lately. thanks so much
I think this is genius. Our children should be entitled to any extra educational sources that helps support their learning abilities. To Ms. Nicole Thompson, thank you for interest in our children's education.
Great article. The reality is that all students learn differently and at varying paces. Constantly encouraging the student and educating parents on the benefits of an IEP may help to eliminate the stigma and result in higher self esteem and a life-long love of learning.
As a parent of a student with an IEP , I find that the information in this article is accurate. The school my son attends did not offer MTSS as an option or speacial accommodations. My son was tested for an IEP as the only option. Although I wasn't aware of any other options, he is doing well with his IEP and may no longer need it during the upcoming school year. Thank you Ms. Thompson for this well written article. Now I am aware of the other learning options I will pass the information along to other parents.
Excellent read! Nicole is fly!
Very informative article , this is a great resource for families to have to help guide them with the IEP process. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this topic!
The ability to learn is a very important part of the life progression process. If approached appropriately and consistently, a child has to ability to maximize their learning experience and in turn maximize their success in life. The process that Ms. Thompson has described allows our children to increase their learning potential and to realize that support is available. Our children need to have every opportunity to succeed in life and more importantly, they need to feel supported in a time when they may feel most vulnerable.