Full Answer Section

Narrator: Welcome! If your child has recently been referred for special education services, you might be hearing about something called an IEP, or Individualized Education Program. This presentation is designed to help you understand what the IEP process is all about and how we can work together to support your child’s unique learning needs.

(Slide 1: What is an IEP? – Visual: Child with a supportive teacher, text overlay: “What is an IEP?”)

Narrator: An IEP is a written plan created specifically for a child who is found to have a disability and needs special education services to make progress in school. Think of it as a roadmap that outlines your child’s learning goals and the supports and services they will receive to achieve those goals. The IEP process is guided by a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. IDEA ensures that all children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education, tailored to their individual needs. ¹  

(Slide 2: The Referral and Eligibility Process – Visual: A flow chart showing “Referral” -> “Evaluation” -> “Eligibility Determination”, text overlay: “The IEP Journey Begins”)

Narrator: The IEP journey typically begins with a referral. This might come from you, your child’s teacher, a doctor, or another professional who has concerns about your child’s learning or development. Once a referral is made, with your consent, your child will undergo a comprehensive evaluation. This evaluation looks at all areas related to the suspected disability, such as academic skills, communication, motor skills, and social-emotional development.

(Slide 3: Disability Categories – Visual: Icons representing different categories like speech, learning, physical, etc., text overlay: “Understanding Disability Categories”)

Narrator: IDEA recognizes several disability categories under which a child may be eligible for special education services. These can include things like specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, physical impairments, and others. Eligibility is determined by a team, including you, based on the evaluation results. The team will look at whether your child has a disability that falls under one of these categories and if that disability impacts their ability to make progress in the general education curriculum, requiring specialized instruction and support.

(Slide 4: The IEP Team – Visual: A circle of diverse individuals with labels like “Parent/Guardian,” “General Education Teacher,” “Special Education Teacher,” “School Psychologist,” etc., text overlay: “Meet Your IEP Team”)

Narrator: A key part of the IEP process is the IEP team. You are a vital member of this team! Other required members include your child’s general education teacher, a special education teacher, a representative from the school district, and someone who can interpret the evaluation results, like a school psychologist or diagnostician. Depending on your child’s needs, other professionals like speech therapists, occupational therapists, or physical therapists may also be part of the team.

(Slide 5: Collaboration is Key – Visual: Team members working together around a table, smiling, text overlay: “Working Together for Your Child”)

Narrator: Collaboration among all IEP team members is essential for creating an effective plan. Each member brings unique expertise and perspectives. As parents, you bring invaluable knowledge about your child’s strengths, weaknesses, interests, and history. Effective teaming involves open communication, active listening, and a shared commitment to your child’s success. We will strive to communicate with you clearly, listen to your input, and work together respectfully to develop the best plan for your child.

(Slide 6: Ethical Principles and Your Involvement – Visual: A graphic with the CEC logo and a family actively participating in an IEP meeting, text overlay: “Our Ethical Commitment”)

Narrator: Our work in special education is guided by the “Special Education Professional Ethical Principles” of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). These principles emphasize our commitment to your child’s well-being, respecting your cultural and linguistic background, and collaborating with you as equal partners. For example, we are ethically bound to share all relevant information with you in a timely and understandable manner. Your involvement is crucial! You can share your insights about what works best for your child at home, their learning style, and your hopes and dreams for their future. Your input directly shapes the IEP.

(Slide 7: Using Assessment Data – Visual: Examples of different types of assessment data – charts, observation notes, medical reports, text overlay: “Understanding Your Child’s Needs Through Data”)

Narrator: The IEP team uses various types of assessment data to understand your child’s needs and determine their eligibility for special education. This includes the initial evaluation results, classroom observations, work samples, and sometimes even medical information provided by your child’s doctor. We will work together to understand what this data tells us about your child’s strengths and areas where they need support. For example, if assessments show a delay in language development and a related medical diagnosis, the team will consider this information to determine eligibility and identify appropriate speech therapy services in the IEP.

(Slide 8: Major Components of the IEP – Visual: A graphic representing the different sections of an IEP document with brief labels like “Present Levels,” “Goals,” “Services,” “Accommodations,” etc., text overlay: “Inside the IEP Document”)

Narrator: The IEP document itself has several key components. It starts with the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance, which describes your child’s current strengths and areas needing improvement. Next, the team will develop Measurable Annual Goals – specific, achievable targets that your child is expected to reach within a year. The IEP also outlines the Special Education and Related Services your child will receive, such as specialized instruction, speech therapy, or occupational therapy. Accommodations are changes to how your child learns (like extra time on tests), and Modifications are changes to what your child is expected to learn. The IEP also includes information about how your child will participate in state and district-wide assessments and how their progress towards their goals will be measured and reported to you.

(Slide 9: Alignment is Key – Visual: Arrows connecting different components of the IEP graphic, emphasizing their interconnectedness, text overlay: “Everything Works Together”)

Narrator: It’s important to understand that all the information in the IEP needs to be aligned. The goals are based on your child’s present levels, and the services, accommodations, and modifications are designed to help them achieve those goals. Everything in the IEP works together to meet your child’s unique needs and ensure they are making meaningful progress in their education.

(Slide 10: We’re Here to Support You – Visual: A warm image of a teacher and parent talking, text overlay: “Your Partnership Matters”)

Narrator: The IEP process is a collaborative journey, and your involvement is invaluable. We are committed to working with you every step of the way to create a plan that best supports your child’s learning and growth. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions and share your thoughts and concerns. We are here to support you and your child.