Educational Accommodation
A Beginners Guide to Pursuing an IEP
With school starting up again soon, I thought I’d do some research on the topic of pursuing an IEP (Individualized Education Program) for school-aged children. Going into this research endeavor, I had a lot of questions. I wasn’t even sure what IEP stood for when I started this project. So by no means should you interpret this article as in-depth or all-encompassing. This is simply a beginner’s take on the subject. My hope is that I can point parents who are new to the idea of an IEP in the right direction.
To understand the IEP and its purpose, we must first take a look into history and the role the IEP had in changing the way we look at education and our children’s rights to it. Starting all the way back in 1965, the education landscape has continually evolved to cater to the diverse needs of students, including those with disabilities. One crucial aspect of this development is the IEP. First instituted 10 years later in 1975 after the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was passed, the IEP was initially designed to recognize a child’s legal right to an education regardless of disability. Before the IEP and the EHA, many children with disabilities weren’t allowed to attend school at all.
The IEP changed in 1990 when the EHA became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This change required the IEP to now have parental approval. And again in 1997, when assessments were now a part of the approval process. Being a lover of history, I could go on and on about further changes that happened in 2001 with the No Child Left Behind Act or in 2004 when an amendment to IDEA brought about more accountability, but I’ll spare you the details and encourage you to read the article in the link above if you want a more in-depth look at the history of the IEP.
Now that you know more about where it came from, let’s talk a bit more about what it is. The IEP is a legally binding document designed to help support children with disabilities in the academic environment. To initiate the IEP process, parents or teachers typically refer a child for evaluation with the school district. A Doctor’s note is not required, but medical documentation can be valuable in supporting a child’s eligibility and specific needs. An evaluation team, which includes parents, teachers, and specialists, assesses the child’s strengths and weaknesses. Some of these specialists may include: a school psychologist, a special education professional, physical therapist, vision specialist, speech pathologist, or a language pathologist.
This isn’t a quick overnight kind of process though. Assuming the request for assessment has been submitted in writing by whoever is referring the child, and that you’ve the Permission to Evaluate form, IDEA says that states have 60 days to set up an evaluation for the child. Some states have tried to shorten that to 30–45 days but that’s still a long time to wait. And once the assessment has been completed, the state has another 30 days to draw up an IEP. So if you’re going to pursue one, it’s best to start that process sooner rather than later.
Qualification for an IEP requires a child to meet specific criteria set by educational law, usually demonstrating a disability that affects their learning or academic progress. If the child meets the eligibility criteria, an IEP is developed with measurable goals, specialized services, and necessary accommodations. If the child does not meet the criteria or you disagree with their assessment for another reason, you as a parent have the right to ask for a second opinion in the form of an IEE (Independent Education Evaluation) and the right to ask the school district to pay for it.
After all the assessments have been completed, a meeting is scheduled to draw up the child’s IEP. One thing important to note about this meeting is that you may bring along those who you think would be a strong advocate for the child. Whether that’s a spouse, teacher, or therapist, the idea is to make sure the child’s needs and interests are well represented in the meeting. Another thing to note is that you are not required to sign the IEP at the time of the meeting! You can take it home, look it over and make sure it’s what’s best for your child. Remember, this is a legally binding document so treat it like any other contract and BE SURE before signing.
Once signed, it is to be immediately put into practice and is good for one year at which time a new meeting with an updated IEP will need to take place. But for the duration of the year that the IEP is valid and in place, the school is responsible for making sure that the IEP is adhered to. If you as a parent believe that the IEP is not being implemented properly, you can request an IEP meeting to address the issue. In some cases, mediation or due process hearings may be pursued.
Children grow and change so quickly that their needs may change during the course of the year. As such, it’s vital that parents and guardians take an active role in the quality of their child’s education. Open and regular communication with your child’s teacher to make sure that the IEP is being upheld is crucial. In this way, you can also glean from the teacher if your child’s needs have changed somewhat or if the IEP needs to be adjusted.
Common accommodation requests include: extended test-taking time, guided notes, use of a calculator, use of a dictionary, speech to text, text to speech, multiplication charts, preferential seating, assistive technology, modified assignments, assignment extensions, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral support. In certain circumstances, a child may be assigned a 1:1 aide known as a paraprofessional, or para for short.
As the child ages, an ITP (Individualized Transition Plan) may become part of their IEP. The purpose of an ITP is to prepare the child for the transition into adulthood. By law, the school district must start this plan no later than the child’s sixteenth birthday, but many believe it’s a good idea to start it as early as eighth grade in order to make sure all the needed steps are completed to make the child’s goals and dreams a reality.
Goals are an important part of the ITP. Subjects to discuss with the child at this time could be categorized in the following topics: independent living, community integration, employment, and postsecondary education a.k.a. college. It’s important to note that while many colleges today offer accommodations for students with disabilities, the IEP ends at high school graduation.
The process of obtaining accommodations in college is different from K-12 education. Students with disabilities must register with the college’s disability services office, provide documentation of their disability, and work with the office to determine appropriate accommodations.
Research will be required to determine which colleges have programs that best meet the needs of your child. A good way to glean further information is to take a tour of the college and ask tons of questions. I tend to keep a notebook on my person at all times so I can jot down my questions and the answers I receive. Another good tip is to keep track of all documentation regarding the student’s disabilities. Whether that’s doctors’ notes, therapists referrals, assessments, or past IEP records, keeping them in a specific easy to find location can go a long way towards a smoother transition process for the student going on to college.
There are many pros and cons to pursuing an IEP for your child. These must be weighed and considered before taking action. Some of the general benefits include:
- Having a tailored and personalized education that meets the needs of your child.
- Having the potential for improved academic outcomes.
- Having an accountability framework to make sure that the educators are adhering to the plan.
- Having more open and clear communication between parents, students, teachers and other professionals.
- Having legal protection of the child’s educational rights ensuring that they receive the quality education they deserve.
- Having greater likelihood of receiving necessary accommodations in college or in the workplace as an adult.
However, there are downsides to pursuing an IEP. These can include:
- The need for extensive paperwork.
- Added time commitments.
- Some schools having limited resources, flexibility, and/or funding.
- An over-reliance on accommodations rather than on developing independent skills.
- The potential for stigmatization of the child.
Regardless of which path you choose for your child, IEPs play a critical role in supporting children with disabilities and ensuring they receive the necessary educational services. Understanding the qualification process, potential benefits, and available accommodations is essential for parents, educators, and students to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
