<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1oexwk_1Go5iDw100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1oexwk_1Go5iDw100" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Photo / picjumbo.com</figcaption></figure>Most schools have closed out the first quarter of the school year, leaving teachers and parents with a fairly good understanding of how each student is performing. In some cases, this has started a discussion about developing an Individualized Education Program.There is not an immediate marker or observed behavior that would trigger an IEP discussion,” Grace Willer, director of learning strategies and co-director of Laurel School’s Center for Research for Girls, said. “Rather, it is a culmination of observations, classroom performance and testing metrics. We generally need six to eight weeks of data before we begin the evaluation process.”Starting the evaluation process doesn’t have to be driven by the school alone, parents can request it as well.“As a parent, you should look at how long it’s taking your child to complete a homework assignment that they are actively engaged in,” Amy Sheeler, the director of student advocacy and support services at the Lawrence School with campuses in Broadview Heights for grades kindergarten to sixth and in Sagamore Hills for grades seven to 12, said. “If it’s covering a concept review and you see them working and erasing and working, I would reach out to the teacher and start a conversation.”After an evaluation is completed, parents, a teacher, a district representative and a specialist – which is often the school psychologist – will meet to discuss the findings and determine next steps.Willer said that evaluations provide a set of data points, “but there are a wide range of opportunities within them. That’s why we don’t look at just a score but the whole student.”The results of this evaluation may be an establishment of an IEP, the creation of a 504 plan, or the decision to address needs the student has in different ways.“People can conflate IEPs and 504s,” Willer said. “A 504 is about accommodations, while an IEP is focused on specially-devised instruction.”With whatever plan that is established, it is re-evaluated throughout the year to ensure it is truly helping the student.“The goal is always to make sure that students are gaining skills,” Sheeler said.”Part of the re-evaluation process could be considered skills-based with the other part leans more observational. And that’s both in and out of the classroom. Sheeler said that “good parent-teacher communication is essential for struggling students. It helps provide schools with a better picture of what’s happening and where a student might be struggling.”Willer said that “any time you can have a strong home and school partnership you’re going to be more successful.”IEPs are in place for a three-year period. They have mandated yearly reviews although a school or parent can request an early review at any point. This generally happens if they see good progress being made or feel like a student is still struggling.The discussion around, and exploration of, an IEP can happen at any point in a child’s education.“A lot of parents are told they don’t test anyone before third grade, but you can detect some things that affect a child’s learning, like if they have dyslexia early,” Sheeler said.Willer said that “it’s important that parents understand an IEP is not a formal diagnosis and won’t follow a child around. The purpose isn’t to label a student but to open resources to the kids who need them.”Noell Wolfgram Evans is a freelance journalist.</div></body>

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Most schools have closed out the first quarter of the school year, leaving teachers and parents with a fairly good understanding of how each student is performing. In some cases, this has started a discussion about developing an Individualized Education Program. There is not an immediate marker or observed behavior...

IEPs can help strengthen student’s education

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Most schools have closed out the first quarter of the school year, leaving teachers and parents with a fairly good understanding of how each student is per

IEPs can help strengthen student’s education

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