Submission of IEP plans before meeting?????

Is this your first IEP? What has happenend that makes you feel it won’t go well? How is the relationship between you and the school?

I haven’t done anything like what you are asking, but I have talked to various team members about what I thought were the main areas of concern, before the meeting, so that they could think about it before we actually met.

If there is any new evaluations/assessments being presented at the IEP, I think you will have a hard time getting the participants to submit a plan before these have been discussed as a group.

Molly

No this is not the first IEP meeting-I have been fighting my district for 7 years! The reasons I have consider this approach are two fold-1) they expect me to come in with some sort of plan of what I feel she needs based on reports that are sketchy 2) she will be entering high school next year and according to the test results I have been given-she has made NO PROGRESS in middle school…I feel the high school needs to have this information in written form prior to the meeting as do I so a game plan can be well thought out instead of lots of promises that never materialize!

Well, then, you are much more experienced with this than I am and I don’t know that there is anything I can help with :-)

Other than of course sympathy and positive thoughts. Perhaps high school will be a different experience, and all the people will care, and do their jobs, and it will be a fresh start. :) Maybe meeting these people informally before the IEP you could cultivate some allies? (with what you have been through this probably seems as likely as winning the lotto, but you can always buy a ticket and hope).

Hopefully someone else will come along more helpful than I.

Molly

Thanks! I appreciate anyone’s good thoughts!

Our district will mail you the “proposed” IEP in advance of the meetings. This is really helpful as its the baseline. We concentrate on the areas we disagree on. I know where the fights will be and can prepare. Its very helpful. I have taken to faxing this proposed IEP to the advocate. She’s great. For each “problem” area she list what she would propose, what other schools in the area are doing, what the school’s most likely responses is, and how to address/rebut that response. She also is quick to point out really good parts of the IEP so these can be praised and to remind me to listen to what the school offers in problem areas because sometimes they can come up with really good stuff that she might not have thought to propose.

Good luck to you

Thank you and I think the way you stated this information will help me write exactly what I want to say without sounding like I’m going for the jugular!

I am trying to get an answer to that same question. I don’t feel that is would be an advantage to the child. Representatives at IEPs are trained on how to write the appropriate language. Many parents are not.

Hi Vicent.

Very interesting comments!

Parents are equal representatives at the IEP table. And we know they have the best interest of the child at heart. I think it is very possible for parents to learn via training or an advocate’s help what should be included to make an excellant IEPs. They do indeed however have to be careful to watch that all the “i”s are dotted and the “t”s crossed.

Thank you to all-just met with both heads of the middle school and high school sped programs and I’m getting a “proposed” IEP and one on one meetings for my dau with ALL who will be at the IEP meeting. They will be spending time with her so she gets to know them and what exactly the role is that they play in the mix. She will be able to ask questions and they in turn will get to know her prior to her FIRST IEP meeting. To say the least-I’m thrilled!
:D :D :D