Individual Education Plans Get Specific About Your Child’s Success
If your child has special needs that impair his ability to learn at school, he may qualify for an Individual Education Plan (IEP). This is a legal document created to ensure your child’s teacher understands his learning and/or physical limitations and follows the steps necessary for his success.
An IEP is federally funded and falls under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or “IDEA.” IDEA entitles your child to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) designed “to meet unique needs and prepare for employment and independent living” (20 U.S.C. §1400(d)(1)(A)).
Your child’s IEP will set specific educational goals to be met by the end of each school year. IEPs may include accommodations or activities such as:
- classroom accommodations, such as a special chair or table
- curriculum modification
- provision of speech or occupational therapy
- as well as many other possible allocations
How Do I Know if My Child Qualifies for an IEP?
Knowing if your child needs an Individual Learning Plan takes time. It also requires input from a professional. This is because having cerebral palsy is not enough to qualify your child as having a learning or physical disability. And in some districts, getting an IEP for your child can be like pulling teeth.
If your child is engaged in speech or any other type of therapy before starting grade school, her therapist may be able to tell you if she would qualify for an IEP in your state.
If you already know that your child has a mental impairment, having her take an I.Q. test will help to establish her learning limits and abilities. Your child may score average or above average in some areas but below average in others. The findings of this testing will determine if he qualifies for special education help in your state or not. If he does qualify, an IEP team should review your child’s I.Q. scores, as well as any physical limitations he has, and develop a specific plan of action.
If your child’s school has any concerns about her learning abilities, the school must pay for testing. But since so many schools are under funded, don’t be surprised if your child’s school does not offer to test your child. You may have to either insist on having the testing done, or you may have to fund the testing yourself.
How is My Child’s IEP Created and Who is Involved?
When it has been determined that your child has a mental or physical disability that impairs his learning, the school will set up an IEP meeting. An IEP team is formed and includes:
- Your child (if she wants to be there)
- You, the parent or guardian
- A district representative
- A special educator
- Other teachers who will be involved in your child’s education
- Anyone else who feels they can be of help (for example, a school therapist)
You and the IEP team will meet to discuss your child’s specific needs and goals for the school year. Steps will be outlined as to how your child will be accommodated each day in the classroom. A progress report should then be sent to you periodically to demonstrate that your child is indeed meeting her IEP learning goals.
You and the IEP team will also arrange for any speech or occupational therapy that is to be provided by the school (under the IEP), should your child qualify
How Often Will My Child’s IEP be Reviewed?
For each school year that your child qualifies for assistance, you and your child’s IEP team will meet once to set up a new action plan. You will review her successes from the previous year and set new goals for the coming year. If something did not work well for your child last year, this is the time to make revisions to the IEP.
Will My Child Qualify for an IEP Throughout her Education?
Getting your child an IEP can be frustrating and time consuming. And going through the process of testing and evaluating can be stressful on your child. Fortunately, once your child qualifies for an IEP, she does not have to be retested or reassessed for three years.
What if I Feel My Child Qualifies for an IEP but the School Disagrees?
Because each state sets its own criteria for learning or physical disabilities, your child may not qualify for special ed help in your state. This is even though you or her doctor feel she needs the extra support. If you encounter such roadblocks, you must be willing to fight for her special needs.
If your child does not qualify for an IEP, she may qualify for a 504 Plan, a document legislated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 504 Plans are less specific than an IEP and, unfortunately, do not have the legal teeth that an IEP has. However, it is better to have a 504 Plan than to have no plan at all.
Another alternative is to try to qualify your child for an Other Health Impaired (OHI) plan. An OHI is like a “last resort” document for kids who are denied a 504 Plan or an IEP. Essentially, OHI status was created to satisfy parents who insist that their child needs documented assistance in school. Unfortunately, depending on the school district, your child could be denied even this simple protection.
Your Child Has a Right to a Quality Education
If you feel your child is being denied the educational environment she requires to succeed in school, you need expert advice. Don’t take “no” for an answer before talking with us. We can help you learn more about your rights as a parent, your child’s rights as a student, and how you can become her best advocate.
Contact 4MyChild today and help your child get the education she deserves.
