What to Discuss at IEP Meetings
Parents of children with special needs often have to discuss the IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals for their child at IEP team meetings with the school. If your child has special needs, like in case of an autistic or deaf child, make sure that you make yourself as much knowledgeable about the subject as possible. This will help you to contribute positively to the IEP goals of your child while attending IEP meetings.
Whether it is the first time you are going to attend an IEP team meeting or the umpteenth time, preparing yourself well in advance to discuss your child’s IEP goals will pay off well in the long run. Annual review of your child’s IEP goals will be done by the school, and in that your participation is expected without fail.
No one knows your child better than you. So, when the school authorities and your child’s special education teacher suggest IEP goals for your child, you can put in your views and observations and make sure that you are heard. Your child may have shown some progress over the summer holiday that the teacher is not aware of. You can also learn a lot of things about your child’s behavior from the teacher. IEP goals should be set only after detailed discussions with you and by considering your suggestions.
IEP meetings are a great opportunity for parents to learn and share about their children with special needs. If your child is being transferred to a new program, school or school district, then the IEP goals of your child needs to be evaluated properly to estimate their significance in the educational development of your child. Read books and articles about your child’s special needs and keep yourself updated with the latest information in this field.
During IEP team meetings, you have the right to ask as many questions as you want regarding the each of the IEP goals set for your child. You should also ask questions to concerned authorities regarding any queries that you may have about your child’s special needs and the IEP goals being set.
If you are not satisfied with the previous IEP goals for your child and the success of those goals, then IEP team meetings are the right place to discuss about them. From what you express, you may be able to provide significant feedback for creating better IEP goals for your child with special needs. This is a very essential aspect of an IEP meeting as it helps you and the school authorities to take necessary steps to make amendments in the new IEP goals being set.
You can also consult IEP goal banks on the Internet to get some fair idea about the IEP goals that may be required for your child. Your knowledge about these goals can be helpful in the setting up of new IEP goals for your child. You can rest assured about the quality of IEP goals available at goal banks as these are prepared by qualified professionals. The IEP goals listed here are just templates that can be modified to suit the specific needs of your child.
You can consult IEP goal banks on the Internet to get some fair idea about the IEP goals that may be required for your child. Your knowledge about these goals can be helpful in the setting up of new IEP goals for your child.
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