Everything Parents need to know about the IEP Process

An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is a document that lists the specific needs your child has, sets goals for your child, and entitles yourchild to specific services to meet those needs. The sole purpose of this IEP is to benefit your child. This IEP team is here to improve your childs education. Thank you for coming! Please feel free to ask questions or comment at any time.

Before the Meeting:

Before your childs annual IEP meeting, you will receive a notice at least 10 days before the meeting. This gives us enough time to agree upon a time and place for the meeting. Before your childs IEP Meeting, you have the right to request a draft of your childs IEP to review. To make communication more convenient for you, please inform your childs IEP of your preffered method of contact.

Should I Bring Anything?

If you wish, you are welcome to come to your childs meeting Having read through the draft of your childs IEP With any questions you may have. Knowing some strengths, abilities, and needs your child has. With a list of short-term and long-term goals you have for your child. Knowing what has worked for your child in the past and what hasnt.

This may seem like a lot, but, as a team, we are willing to work with you to create goals for your child and plan instruction so those goals can be met. We will also be making similar preparations for your childs meeting. If there is anything you feel the school personnel can do to better prepare for your childs IEP meeting, let us know!

About the IEP Who will be there:

The following individuals should be present for your childs IEP meeting: You! Parent/guardian At least one general education teacher with expertise related to students performance. At lest one special education teacher A representative from the local education agency an individual who can interpret evaluation results (usually a school psychologist)

Other individuals that may be present are: In some cases, the student (you as the parent play an important role in deciding whether it is appropriate for your child to be part of IEP meetings) Any other expert in your childs education that you wish to invite.

Questions to Ask During IEP Meetings:

It you have questions about any part of the IEP, please voice these to the team. Are the supports my child needs offered in the General Education Classroom? Will my child be included in class wide activities and specials, like PE, Art, Music and special events? (If your child exhibits behaviors that may have led to removal from General Education classes) Was a behavior plan set in place, with all staff trained to interact with my child before he or she was removed from the General Education classroom?

Components of IEP Meetings:

Explanations of each component of IEP meetings are available at the following link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/91115419/Components- of-an-IEP

Your Rights as a Parent:

As a parent, you can ask to see the IEP ahead of time call a meeting at any time bring an interpreter

You are an important member of these meetings. We view you as an expert on your child, so we respect and value your input on all educational decisions involving your child.

After the Meeting:

Your childs teachers will make changes to your childs IEP based on what is discussed in the meeting. The IEP is typically in effect for one year unless you wish to call a meeting to renew it sooner.

Additional Resources:
Several websites may also offer useful information concerning your childs IEP. A few we have found include: family support http://www.familysupportnetwork.org/ Information on Learning Disabilities http://www.ncld.org/ IEP Info http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.index.htm Has a bunch of different resources for families http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP.html Family support for all disabilities http://www.familysupportnetwork.org/ This is just the website for the ARC of Il in case you want to get involved in advocacy programs. Has more resources as well http://www.thearcofil.org/ Informative youtube videos about Student-run IEPs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54eddzocCC0&feature=related Transition requirements: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vraet1lzmNI If you feel you have additional information you can provide to make the IEP process smoother, please let us know!!!

Contact Information:
If you have any questions about your childs IEP meeting, feel free to ask them at any time before, during, or after the meeting . We wish for you to be informed in order to work alongside you to ensure that your child receives the services needed. Sincerely, ________________________ Case Manager School Address

City, State, Zip Email School Phone Number (Cell Phone Number if appropriate)

(Extra) Frequently Asked Questions:

If you still have questions about your childs IEP, PLEASE contact us. Some common questions and answers are listed below for reference. Can I bring other people to the meeting beside myself to the meeting? Yes. You are welcome to bring whomever you want to the meeting. In the past, other families have brought outside service providers, extended family members, other teachers involved in the students past schooling, lawyers, or other friends for support. If you would like to bring other people, just let us know so we have a room to accommodate for everyone. Do I have to go to the IEP meeting? It is highly recommended that you attend your childs meeting. We will do everything we can to accommodate for your needs to make sure you are able to attend the meeting. What if I cannot attend the meeting during traditional school hours? We will be more than willing to work with your family on a date, place, and time that works for everyone. Please let us know a couple of available dates, and we will try and accommodate to have everyone in attendance at the meeting! Does the meeting have to be at school? The meetings are traditionally held at school. But, if you do not feel comfortable meeting at the school, we would be more than willing to work out an alternative location to have the meeting. We really want you to be involved and comfortable in the meeting, and therefore are willing to do what you need to feel that way. Will my child be in attendance at the meeting? Your child may be present for none, some, or the entire meeting. If you would like your student present, that is acceptable. Typically, we will have the student there in the beginning of the meeting to tell a little about him or herself, what their goals are, and what their strengths of the classroom are. Some students will prepare a PowerPoint presentation to present to the group. However, most students will leave after that part so the parents can discuss issues like behavioral challenges, weaknesses, test scores, and other issues that some parents are uncomfortable with their children hearing. Again, we are more than willing to do whatever you think is best for you and your child. Will a translator be provided if I, or someone attending the meeting does not speak English? Yes. The school will provide a translator (not the student) to be present at the meeting.