IEP Meetings

A lot of people are a bit overwhelmed with information - it’s probably all in how you present it. If it’s “here’s something I want you to read to help your child get excited about writing” - I could imagine, as a parent, feeling like you were turning your job over to me. Hey, now I’m supposed to do homework and figure out how to get my child to be a good writer.
On the other hand, if you had laid some groundwork on what you were doing, what the student was doing, and how the article would help me understand what my child needed to do to succeed and help make it happen, I’d be more eager to receive it.
Of course, that’s *me.* There are all sorts of parents out there and it can be very, very hard to “read” them in an IEP meeting. If I thought an article would be useful to paresnts, I would have a few copies handy and offer it in a way that didn’t make it seem like a homework assignment for them :-) and encourage them to ask questions about it and let them know how to get in touch with me. (Some teachers get a separate email address for parent stuff.)

Stacey

I have been thinking about this one as a Mom, I know nothing about being on the other side, how I would feel about this at an IEP meeting. For me I do not think I would like it too much just because in the meetings I always cry. It is so negative and there are so many areas that need progress. They are nice people but it doesnot change the facts.

I would feel like it was handed back to me to deal with only if I felt they, his teachers, were giving up on him. He has had teachers, two out of three, that have not even tried. When I got him tutors they did even less.

I would love the assistance and pamphlets from a teacher I respected and I knew was giving me the pamphlets to help her at school. Meaning teaching me the way my son learns to reinforce at home. Teamwork I am all for. His resource teacher this year is starting to help me understand his learning style. She has done wonders with him.

I would like them in a personal meeting so I could ask questions. I personally need details. Guildlines to follow until I feel comfortable myself.

I know after having my sons weakness throw about and feeling helpless and confused, another year of not this time but maybe next time he will/we will do better but here try this at home, would not sit well with me just because of the timing. A very emotionally weak time.

One on one is more personal, more caring. It says to me I know what was said in the meeting but I think together if we try this he may/will see more progress.

I may ask for a demonstration. Remember if the child is LD there is a good chance the parent you are talking to may have their own issues. I would take the pamphlet but to get the most out of it I would need to see it, witness it, and practice it.

I hope this helps and does not sound resistant. We, parents, are not teachers and need help but at a less emotional, more positive time. It takes me days to get a bounce back in my steps after those meetings. Postive words from a teacher helps it along faster.

I am getting teary eyed just writting this because it is reminding me of my last meeting. Definitely find a quite time. I am always looking for solutions.

I agree. It’s much more helpful to share that type of information separate from the IEP meeting which is potentially emotionally charged enough.
Sharing information can be seen as more of a “we’re in this together” situation and we want to be on the same page. Sometimes, it can be just sharing an excellent website such as this with parents. It’s all in the presentation but I wouldn’t recommend sharing it at an IEP meeting.

Thanks for all the responses! It gave me a lot to think about. I just want to clarify - I think it’s all in the presentation as well. I also would make sure to match the article/website/tips (whatever it may be) closely with the parent’s concerns, which is an important part of the IEP meeting that I feel does not get enough time. For example, if a parent says they want their child’s reading to improve (a common, “parental concern”) I would let them know what I’m doing in the classroom, and then give them/outline in detail strategies they can use at home. I would make it seem like teamwork, not that I’m giving up on the child. Thanks again for all the info.!

Just the same, I wouldn’t do it at the IEP meeting either.

I would say to the parent that “I have some additional information and web sites that might be helpful to improve Johnny’s reading. Let’s set up a separate time to talk about it.”

IEP meetings involve a lot of people—and are not the time for questions and answers. Many people find the context very intimidating and upsetting. I have found that one to one conversations with teachers are more useful in building teamwork than IEP meetings.

Beth

I agree. A parent-teacher conference is the setting to share information like that. The IEP meeting is long enough just getting the IEP done.

Janis