A few things to consider if your child has an IEP {individual education plan) for specially designed instruction: For it’s NOT too early to prepare and plan for school-year 24-25 even though it seems to be so far away: Things to consider …
1. SPRING TESTING: If your child requires accommodation to access these annual tests or … needs to “opt out” for a variety of reasons, it’s time to meet with the IEP Team and address this now before testing takes place.
2. ESY: As discussed in a previous blog, if your child experiences “regression” and a significant loss of learning due to breaks, like Summer, it’s time to meet with the IEP Team and address what ESY (extended school year) options are available for your child.
3. TRANSITION MEETING: If your child is shifting schools from an elementary to a middle or from a middle school to high school, it’s imperative to meet with your child’s team and begin the planning process NOW. A few things to consider include:
– WHAT WORKS NOW and WOULD BE VALUABLE TO BUILD UPON IN THE NEW SETTING?
– WHAT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NEW SCHOOL WHICH MAY IMPACT PLACEMENT OR PROGRAM?
– HOW CAN WE CREATE A “SOFT LANDING” FROM ONE SCHOOL TO THE NEXT; a TRANSITION PLAN?
Here’s a story from earlier today that highlights the need for these meetings: In a midwest school district, a parent contacted me and sought support as her son transitions from middle school to high school. Due to the complexity of his needs, the school refused to allow him to participate in after school activities like football during the previous year. And the coach called it a matter of “safety”. And that was the end of the conversation. Her son was unable to participate in something he loved to do.
As a result, we will be meeting with the IEP Team and General Ed staff and explore a wide range of accommodations for next year including access to football and other after school activities. I shared with the parent, “If we hear about “safety” excluding your son, we will be asking for an outside consult, whether it be a physician, or the high school league officials to determine “safety” access determinations as well as appropriate accommodations: Too often access issues are determined by the opinion of one person. And in these situations, parents may get push back when it comes to accommodations and access issues when people are having to do something much different than previously planned. It’s just human nature; change presents a challenge for some.
As stated, it’s time to put on your advocacy hat and begin the planning process for next year NOW. And in the meantime, enjoy the signs of Spring as well as the prospect of the new school year.
Larry
