Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Is your child struggling in school and in need of a plan that will addresses all their unique and individualized needs? Ms. Chemelniker will walk you through the whole process to attain the most accurate IEP for your child. From meeting with you to assess all of your concerns, to being by your side during the IEP meeting and everything in between, A2Z Advocacy Consulting is here to help. We are partnered with an education attorney who will be available, free of charge, if mediation or due process is necessary.
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1. What is an IEP?An IEP is an Individualized Education Plan which helps your child’s educator understand their specific needs, goals and plans to progress for the annual year, which includes goals, accommodations, and services.
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2. Why do I need an advocate in an IEP meeting?An advocate knows all the rules and will know exactly how to set up the right goals. An advocate will ensure that the IEP will reflect your child’s educational support that he/she needs and will ensure that the proper services, accommodations, and goals are implemented.
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3. Who is making the decisions for my child’s IEP?The IEP is a collaborated process with the parent/ guardian and the educational staff team at your child’s school. The parents have the right to agree, partially agree or disagree on the IEP.
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4. Can my child get expelled from school if they have an IEP?A student with an IEP cannot be suspended for more than 10 total days in a school year without having an IEP meeting to decide if the behavior was associated with the student's disability.
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5. When can I have an IEP meeting?You can request an initial IEP meeting for your child when you have any concerns that are impacting their education. It could be an academic concern, social emotional concern, language concern and more. If your child already has an IEP you can request an IEP meeting in writing, anytime you need one, and the school has 30 days to make it happen.
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6. How should I request an IEP meeting?You should always request an IEP meeting in writing by reaching out to the school administration, special education coordinator or assistant principal. They have 15 business days to provide you with an assessment plan or a denial letter explaining the reason of the denial.
Resources
An IEP describes both a process and a written document. Once your child is found eligible for special education, you will participate in the process by attending an IEP meeting at your child’s school at least once a year. At this meeting, you and the other members of the team will write an IEP document that describes your child’s educational needs and the services that will be provided to meet those needs.
The IEP should include:
- a statement of your child’s present levels of educational performance;
- a statement of measurable goals, including short- and long-term objectives;
- a statement of the special education and related services that your child needs;
- an explanation of the extent to which your child will not participate with
nondisabled children;
- and projected dates for services to begin.