What the IEP Means to the Educational System
The development of the IEP has turned the education system from focusing on the class, to meeting individual needs of all the students. When it comes to students with disabilities, it is imperative that individual plans are developed because each child has their own strengths, weaknesses, and interests despite their disability. As a parent of a child with a disability, these Individual Education Plans offer you the opportunity to advocate for your child in a meaningful fashion.
Teachers who are currently being educated in proper instructional strategies, are learning to meet the needs of every child. The philosophy of individualizing instruction has moved from the special education classroom into the general education classroom. General education teachers are aware of the importance of making relationships with each child and meeting the needs of each child through differentiated instruction. It is not about procedural due process as much as it is about doing what is in the best interest of every child.
What This Means for All Parents
As a parent of any child in the education system, having your child succeed and enjoy the schooling process is one of the most important aspects of these critical years. Your child has a right in the classroom to a meaningful education that meets their needs and interests. The IEP is used for students with disabilities, yet can philosophically be applied to any child in the general education classroom. As the parent, you can advocate for your child in having a fair opportunity to an individualized education; one that accommodates the child's strengths and works to better the child's weaknesses. Whether your child has a disability or not, the parent can be involved in the instruction process of their child by helping the school provide the best education and resources for your child's needs.
-Ariana Dymerski
-Ariana Dymerski