PLP vs. IEP. Although the two are not mutually exclusive, there are many similarities in student perceptions of said programs.
First, I am a special educator, so many of the statements about PLP can be found in the IEP population as well.
Second, I am a first generation subject of the 94–142 or IDEA. I had an IEP from 6 till I graduated at 18. At a young, grade school age this meant little. But by middle school, it all changed.
My experience with being a student with disabilities, matches much of the views of PLP students. To be fair, I can’t blame the law, nor my teachers. An IEP was no protection from my peers, but it did mark me out as different, and at certain ages anonymity is all I could want. PLPs may experience a similar experience.
In short, we can always do a little better for those who move through our educational system but we must have to ability to spot children in need and have the freedom to make minor changes to the system to better meet their needs.
