The Individualized Education Program (IEP)

According to state and federal special education laws, all children who have been found eligible for special education must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP is a written plan that describes exactly what special educational services and accommodations your child will receive. It must be reviewed every year.

Your child’s IEP is developed by a team of people at the school and includes the parent(s) as part of the IEP Team.

The IEP should include:

• A report on how your child is doing in school.

• A list of your child’s strengths and areas to improve.

• A vision statement – your and your child’s hopes and goals.

• Measurable educational goals for your child and a plan for achieving those goals.

• Specially designed teaching and/or services your child needs to help reach those goals. The expected start and end dates for these services should be included (such as speech, occupational and physical therapies, in-school private duty nursing, assistive technology, and other services to be provided at school).

• The amount of time during the school day your child will spend in regular and/or special education activities.

• Beginning at age 14, a description of special instruction that will help your child transition from school to adult life activities when ready.

After the IEP is developed, the IEP Team decides on the placement for your child that is most able to provide the services identified in the IEP. This placement decision should be the least restrict environment possible.

Throughout the school year, you are entitled to receive regular progress reports to tell you if your child is making progress towards his or her IEP goals.

 

Page Last Modified Fri 10-13-2006 18:42

Calendar of Events

NAPAC Meetings

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held in the High School Library at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006
Topic: Extra-curricular Activities for children with special needs.
Speakers: Meet with Nick Saverese, North Section Coordinator for Special Olympics of Massachusetts to discuss new Special Olympics initiatives in North Andover. Meet with Jenn Conway, Support Services Coordinator at the Youth Center to brainstorm on ways we can all work together to build programs at the Youth Center for children with special needs.

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007
Topic: "An Introduction to Assistive Technology”
How to determine if assistive technology can help your child, what is involved in an evaluation and an overview of what is available in assistive technology in North Andover.
Speaker: Karen Janowski, Assistive Technology Consultant from Tech Solutions

Feb 2007:  
Topic: Learn about the new Occupational Therapy Sensory Clinic in North Andover
Speaker: Tara McCormick, OTR, from the Kioko Center, will introduce the new Occupational Therapy Sensory Clinic recently opened in North Andover.

Thursday, Mar. 1, 2007
Topic: "Advocating for Your Child"
Speaker: Jen Perlitch, Advocate from the Federation for Children with Special Needs will discuss how you can advocate for your child in the public school system.

Thursday, May 3, 2007
Topic: "Let's Get Your Child's Records Organized"
Speaker: Mary Summers, Director of Family TIES of Massachusetts will discuss the ways we can keep track of all that paper work and will supply organizing materials. Reservation for this seminar is required.

NAPAC Request: If you have a speaker that you would like us to book for an upcoming meeting, or have a topic that you'd like to hear about please email us! Thanks