Understanding the IEP Process and Related Information: 

Topic: Understanding the IEP Process: A Literacy Guide for Parents, Guardians and Educators of Children With Special Needs

Purpose: To give parents, guardians and teachers of children with special needs a guide to better understand their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. 

Outcome: This literacy guide will help you to navigate and make sense of each portion of your child’s IEP, who’s involved and the laws surrounding the creation of one. 

Method: You are your child's biggest advocate; you need to be educated, informed and aware of their disability, their needs and what they are legally eligible for. Anyone with children can relate to the following website and the advice it has to offer but especially, a parent with a child with special needs. 

* Website: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/working-with-childs-teacher/10-ways-to-be-an-effective-advocate-for-your-child#slide-10

The Law: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Below is a link to the entire Law in PDF format. 

* Website: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/PL108-446.pdf

Steps of an IEP: 

Step 1. Child is identified as possibly needing special education and related services.

Step 2. Child is evaluated.

Step 3. Eligibility is decided.

Step 4. Child is found eligible for services.

Step 5. IEP meeting is scheduled.

Step 6. IEP meeting is held and the IEP is written.

Step 7. After the IEP is written, services are provided.

Step 8. Progress is measured and reported to parents.

Step 9. IEP is reviewed.

Step 10. Child is reevaluated.

Below is a more in depth explanation to each of the above steps

* Website: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/steps/

What to expect during an IEP Team Meeting:

It is important to know what an IEP meeting is all about before showing up; know the steps, participants, your rights and what the outcome should be. Below is a website that outlines the parts of an IEP team meeting.  

* Website: http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/publicschoolprograms/a/iepteameetings.htm

Follow Up: It's important to follow through; once the IEP document is put into place you should follow through, make sure school staff is following the important document and be aware of progress or regression (modifying the IEP is always an option). Below is a link to a website that explains the fact that an IEP document can be changed at any time. 

* Website: http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/ltrs/iep_revise.htm

Support: Just as important as writing a successful IEP,  is a parent or guardian  feeling supported. There are local support groups for parents and guardians of children with special needs but you can also find them online. It may be easier for you to find someone to "chat" with through the Internet. Below is a link for one such group. You can also find groups via social media websites such as Facebook. 

* Website: http://www.abilitypath.org

The hope is that this literacy guide strengthens advocacy, relationships and understanding of a child, their disability and the IEP process.

Resources:

AbilityPath: Support for parents of children with special needs. (2014, January 1). Retrieved April 15, 2015, from http://www.abilitypath.org

Center for Parent Information and Resources. (2014, May 1). Retrieved April 13, 2015, from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/idea/

Coleman Tucker, G. (2013, December 31). 10 Ways to Be an Effective Advocate for Your Child. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/working-with-childs-teacher/10-ways-to-be-an-effective-advocate-for-your-child#slide-10

FAQs - How Can I Get My Child's IEP Changed?: Wrightslaw. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 15, 2015, from http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/ltrs/iep_revise.htm

Logsdon, A. (2015, January 1). How to Prepare for an IEP Team Meeting. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/publicschoolprograms/a/iepteameetings.htm

Ten Basic Steps in Special Education. (2014, April 1). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/steps/