What is an IEP-Reply

• Behavioral Assessment by C. F. Nelson, 5/29/96
  • Adolescent Behavioral Assessment by Joseph Vella, 6/30/96
    • What's an IEP? by Steve Locke, 7/3/96
      
      

I am a school psychologist in Texas-This is a long reply to: What is an IEP (Individual Education Plan)?

a map to your child's future

a written document of jointly made decisions made by parents and school personnel

a commitment of resources necessary to enable your child to receive a free (without cost to the parents) Appropriate (an individualized program designed by a multidisciplinary team (including parents) and defined in an IEP that follows guidelines of the law) Public Law (FAPE)

a management tool used to ensure that your child is provided special education and related services appropriate to your child's special learning needs

a monitoring document for parents, school personnel and government agencies to determine compliance

an evaluation device to determine extent of progress toward projected outcomes

SECTIONS of the IEP:

Current Level of Performance

This says how your child is presently performing in specific areas. This present level statement is a joint determination of abilities seen at home and school

The current level of performance will determine goals, short-term objectives (STO) and services.

Example, non -academic: Tom participates in a social skills group. He has shown much growth in sharing emotions. He is still having difficulty with self-perception, accepting criticism, name-calling, empathy, literalness, peer pressure, reciprocity of friendship, interpreting and expressing own emotions, and difficulty with appropriate eye contact.

Academic: Tom has demonstrated success with various accommodations made by his aide. Tom requires visual and concrete cues and accommodations to be successful in the regular classroom.

Annual Goal or Long-Term Goals-

A statement which describes what your child can reasonably accomplish within a 12 month period. There should be a direct relationship between the present level, goal and objectives.

Example, nonacademic:

Tom will interact appropriately with peers and adults in everyday living skills, and generalize to all settings.

Academic: Tom will achieve in all sixth grade academic areas through supported integration.

Short-term Objectives - are measurable, intermediate steps taken to reach the long term goal.

Example, nonacademic:

Tom will improve skills of spontaneous social content such as hallways and playground encounters meeting new people through structure and re-direction by an adult and structured peer modeling

Academic:

Tom will demonstrate mastery of skills through various means i.e.: one word or short written answers, graph paper, grids, reduced and adapted assignments, etc.

• IEP explaine by Steven Locke, 1/16/97
• Addendum- What is an IEP-Reply by TVJOHNSTONE: tvjohnsto@aol.com, 6/2/97