IEP: Special Ed. vs. Regular Ed.

Did you do the homework?

WOW! Did you notice something immediately? OK, I am going to give you a break if you did not do the homework...

Regular Education
When you look at the curriculum for the regular education for your child's grade level, you will notice a few things. The first of which is the length.

The goals are broken into categories of language, science, social science and mathematics.

On average, there are between 300 and 500 goals for elementary school children and 1,200 to 1,500 goals for high school children.

Special Education
Individualized Education Plans (IEP) are divided into four major categories: Cognitive (intellectual skills), Social (adaptive and self-help skills), Motor (physical ability) and Language (speech and communication).

Based on where you live, IEP average ten (10) goals per section, with many children having no goals in areas where they need no special attention.

A-B=Where is the "education"?
If you are holding your child's IEP in one hand (A) and the grade curriculum in the other (B), a good IEP will be balanced. The IEP will have the same goals adapted to suit your child's disability.

When A-B is less than a desirable balance, it is time for you to do some investigating.

Areas of investigation
In order to give credit where it is justly deserved, most especially in your child, your investigation must include all of the following areas.

Child's ability

• Personal observation at home, school and outside settings
  
• Assessments and meetings with doctors, therapists and paraprofessionals

Classroom setting

• Availability of resources
• Availability of professionals and paraprofessionals
• Structured activities vs. individualized education time
  

Level of disability education training

• Administration (principal, curriculum coach)
• Professionals (therapists, teachers, school psychologist)
• Paraprofessionals (aides, guidance counselor)

School District

• Availability and location of resources
• Disability education training and/or awareness of board member serving school
• Performance of supporting services (transportation, meal services)
  

We will tackle the investigation one step at a time over the next few posts to eliminate the majority of stumbling blocks to the successful IEP.

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