Is your child a little behind in schoolwork? Have you ever felt that it is difficult for him to understand and complete his studies as quickly as other children? Perhaps the child has a certain health condition, for example, `ADHD` (attention deficit disorder), `autism` (autism), or some physical disability. Today, we are talking about a very successful method that is implemented in school systems abroad to help a child's education at times like these. This is called IEP, which stands for ' Individualized Education Program '. Simply put, 'an education plan that is unique to the child'. Although a program of this name is not implemented in the Sri Lankan public school system, the principles in this will be of great help to you in talking to your child's teachers and getting the special support your child needs.
Simply put, what is this IEP?
An IEP is a written plan created specifically for a child with special educational needs. Think of it like a doctor prescribing medication for a specific illness. Teachers, parents, and specialists work together to create a learning plan that works best for the child. The main goal is to help the child learn to the best of their abilities, regardless of the challenges they may have, while still sitting in a regular classroom.
This plan is only made if there is clear evidence that the child's condition is affecting their learning. It clearly states what special services the child will receive at no cost and how they will be provided.
There are two main parts to this plan.
An IEP plan discusses two main ways to help a child. It is very important to understand the difference between these two.
| Accommodations | Modifications |
|---|---|
| What this means is that the child is changing the way they learn . That is, the coursework that the child has to learn is the same as other children, it doesn't change. But they are given concessions to help them do that. | This involves changing what is expected of the child and what is learned . That is, the curriculum the child learns may be different from other children. |
Examples:
| Examples:
|
| The ultimate goal: to help the child sit with other children, complete the same syllabus, and move on to the next grade. | The ultimate goal: To help the child progress in their education by providing goals that are appropriate to their level of ability. |
According to the law, both of these methods are expected to help the child continue their classroom activities and progress academically.
Who can get a plan like this?
Before deciding whether a plan like this is needed, the child is evaluated. There is a team of experts for this.
They observe the child in the classroom, check the child's regular schoolwork, and also give the child some short tests.
After all this is done, the team writes an evaluation report. It clearly states whether the child needs an IEP plan or not. If so, it also states what kind of support the child needs.
Most importantly, you will be given this report and have the opportunity to discuss it with the team. If you disagree with the assessment, you have the right to speak up and challenge it. Once it is determined that your child qualifies for special education services, you and the team of experts must come together and agree on this detailed plan within 30 days.
Who makes the IEP plan?
This is not something one person does. This is a team effort. The team that creates this IEP plan should definitely include:
- The child's regular class teacher.
- A special education teacher.
- A representative from the school system (e.g., the principal or deputy principal).
- The specialist who evaluated the child.
In addition to these people, there are two other very important people on this team. Those are you and, if possible, your child. Your ideas and what you know about your child are essential when creating this plan. You can also include specialists who treat the child, such as occupational therapists and physical therapists.
Don't forget, you have final approval for this entire plan. It can't be implemented without your agreement.
What must be included in an IEP plan?
Every child's IEP is different because it is tailored to that child. But in general, a good IEP should include these elements:
- The child's current educational level: This means a clear description of where the child is currently in schoolwork.
- Annual goals: What goals the child wants to achieve within a year. These should also be broken down into short-term goals.
- How to measure goals: How to measure how successful these goals are. Instead of simply saying, "The child should learn a lot of words," it should be specific, such as, "The child should learn 50 new words in three months."
- Special education services: What special services does the child receive, for how long, and how many times a week?
- Class participation: How much time the child spends in the regular classroom, with other children, and when they leave the classroom for special services.
- Preparing for the Future: If the child is 14 or older, this also includes courses needed to prepare for life after school.
In addition to these educational goals, this plan can also include things like the child's social skills and ways to control behaviors that interfere with the child's learning (e.g., anger management).
After you sign and approve this plan, the team of specialists will keep you informed about your child's progress. The plan should be reviewed at least once a year and any necessary changes made. Also, every 3 years, the child will be reevaluated to determine if the child still needs these special services. This is not a one-time thing. It is an ongoing process, with the plan being adjusted as needed as the child progresses.
Take-Home Message
- An IEP is an individualized education plan created specifically for a child who has learning difficulties due to a health condition.
- This is a team process involving parents, teachers, and specialists. Your role is very important.
- The aim is to help the child succeed by providing accommodations or modifications to the way the child learns.
- Even if your child's school doesn't have an IEP program, use the ideas in this article to talk to your child's teachers and your doctor to provide your child with the support they need.
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