Wednesday 26 December 2018

Basics Relating To Iep California Parents Need To Know

By Lisa Stewart


The IEP refers to an individualized education program. It is usually contained in a document that is prepared to meet education needs of children living with disability and enrolled in a public school. As the name suggests, it is prepared with the needs of the individual child in mind such that no one plan is the same as another. If they wish to get IEP California parents need to understand a number of important things beforehand.

Within the document, is a description of roles that should be played by each important stakeholder in the provision of education for a child with special needs. Parents, teachers, students and other school staff are all considered important stakeholders. By clearly defining their responsibilities, the program aims to have better coordination and to ultimately improve quality of education for this special group.

The creation of an IEP involves teamwork. All the players have to come together and scrutinize the needs of the student in question so as to create suitable solutions. The child is often part of this process. The United States outlines a process that has to be followed from the beginning to the end. This process is found in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

It is a prerequisite that a child undergoes certification before the process of creating an IEP can take place. The law requires that the state locates such a child and facilitates their evaluation. Parents also have an opportunity to inform the state and request for evaluation of a child suspected to have disability. Schools may also do so but only if they have consent from parents.

The evaluation process is conducted once a request has been put in by the parents. The results of this evaluation are what will determine whether or not the child is eligible for special education. They also guide the kind of education that will be offered. In instances where the parents disagree with the evaluation report, the law provides for a resolution mechanism; such parents may apply for an independent evaluation.

A child that is determined to be disabled and eligible for the program needs to have their IEP written within thirty calendar days. The school will schedule a meeting involving all the players which include experts in special needs education. Parents should be informed of the date and location as well as the identity of all the persons that will be invited.

The IEP will specify the current program of the child and make a comment on how they are performing. This will include results of tests and assignments done by the child. It should have clearly stated annual goals built from short term objectives. The exact from of special education is also stated. This may include supplementary aids required by the child. Other components include transition service needs, ways of participating with able bodied children and so on.

The school administration should make very effort to ensure that the program is adhered to the letter. All the stakeholders should have a copy of this document to use as reference from time to time so as to fully understand their individual responsibilities. It should be emphasized that working together as a team is important if this program is to bear fruits.




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