Getting To IEP: When It's Time To Establish An Educational Plan For Your Child
Posted on: 22 October 2015
Not all children learn in the same way. While this does not mean every child that learns a little differently will need an Individualized Educational Plan, it's important to know when it's time to push for a plan to be put in place on behalf of your child. If your child is having trouble in school, if they are overly anxious about going to school, or if they have been a significant disruption in the classroom, it's time to sit down with school personnel to discuss your options.
The Assessment Process
If you have tried to problem solve with your child's teacher, and you are not coming up with any solutions, it's time to have your child properly assessed. They may be having trouble in the classroom because of underlying anxiety, boredom, or any number of other factors. You must ask the special education department to do an official evaluation of your child in order to get the assessment process started. You have a right to this assessment, and you do not have to take no for an answer. Every child is entitled to a quality education, and if your child is not learning at their full potential, you can ask for an evaluation.
The Basics of an Individualized Educational Plan
Many parents get nervous when they think of the words special education and educational plan, as if their child is lacking in some way. This fear often gets in the way of students receiving the services that they need to succeed in school. An educational plan is tailored to the needs of the student the plan is for. The plan is designed to support the learning style of the student, and to provide any necessary accommodations the student needs to be successful. The plan will outline if the student requires a 1:1 aide, if they require extra time to complete tests, or if they need any other specific changes in the curriculum to help them learn more readily.
Educational plans can address learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and emotional issues. Educational plans are not just for students who have diagnosed learning disabilities, in fact they are used more and more often for children who have trouble regulating their emotional response to tests, quizzes and classroom disruptions. An educational plan is designed to help your child succeed in school, no matter what the hurdles are when problems first become apparent to you or the teacher.
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