Photo courtesy of AdocacySD
by Nicole C. Shelton, J.D., Executive Director, AdvocacySD LLC
If so, it’s likely your student may benefit from an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) assessment, IEP and special education services.
An IEP allows your student to receive special education and related services to support academic achievement and behavior challenges.
The first step is to submit a request for a special education or IEP assessment in writing to a school administrator. This can be done via email. If the school responds to your request for an IEP evaluation by telling you they want to schedule a student study team meeting or the like, get professional support from an educational advocate.
Once the school receives and accepts your request, it will provide you with an assessment plan. After you sign a consent to the assessment plan (schools may not conduct an IEP evaluation without your consent), the school has 60 calendar days to complete the assessment and hold an IEP meeting to discuss the results.
As part of the assessment process, school professionals will typically look at IQ, processing ability and academic performance. They also may look at speech-language, social language, fine motor skills or sensory needs.
During the IEP evaluation, your student will be pulled from his/her classes for school professionals to conduct the IEP assessments. You may be asked to complete rating scales about your student’s behavior, daily living skills or behavior at home.
If your student qualifies for an IEP and special education services under one of 13 federal handicapping conditions (i.e. autism, specific learning disability, etc.), the IEP team will collaborate with you to develop an IEP that includes IEP goals and services to support your student.
The IEP cannot be implemented without your involvement and consent.
For more information is available at www.advocacysd.com.
