Special Education for Families
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), requires that a written plan must specify how special education, related services, and support will be provided to a student eligible to receive those services. That written plan is called an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Developing an IEP is a process. Think of developing the IEP as if you were building a family’s home. Before you begin building, you would speak to the family to learn how the family lives and what the family wants in their home. You would identify the family’s wants and needs and gain an understanding of what is important to everyone in the family.
The same holds true for building IEPs. School IEP Teams, of which parents are members, work with families to gain insight into each student’s personality, history, educational experiences, and learning styles. Active family involvement is essential, welcomed, valued and critical to each student’s success.
SPOTLIGHT
Check out these great resources from the Maryland State Department of Education to inform families around the IEP process, their rights and responsibilities. A narrated presentation, Maryland Statewide IEP: An Overview for Parents, is available to guide families through the IEP form. A Parent's Guide to Understanding Your Individualized Education Program Rights and Responsibilities in Maryland is available to explain the steps of the IEP process.
michelle.bruns 04/25/2014 09:56PM EDT
The Special Education process can be confusing and overwhelming for parents- the video overview of the Special Education process and narrated presesntation about IEPs are valuable resources for parents.