Take these steps to increase parent satisfaction with IEP process
A recent study found that about 70 percent of parents of students with disabilities are satisfied with the IEP process. The study also identified two groups of parents that reported less satisfaction with the IEP process: parents of students with behavioral challenges and economically disadvantaged. Parents of students with challenging behaviors generally are frustrated with the IEP process when they don’t see dramatic improvement in their child’s behavior. Economically disadvantaged parents may have difficulty finding time to attend IEP meetings or understanding the IEP process. Here are some tips from special ed administrators:
1. Accommodate parents’ busy schedules. Get creative—break up one long meeting into several shorter meetings, suggest a conference call, or propose meeting before the school day starts.
2. Accommodate parents with language barriers. Contact your program coordinator if you think an interpreter is needed at the IEP meeting. Provide a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards and any PWNs in their primary language.
3. Be upfront about how long it may take to modify difficult behavior. Discuss as a team the problem behaviors to address first, which should be the most disruptive or dangerous behaviors. This way, parents know what the district is focusing on and won’t expect all of the child’s problem behaviors to improve at the same time. Assure parents that you will monitor the student for incremental progress and changes in behavior and notify them of such changes. Explain that the team will reconvene if the child does not respond to interventions after one grading period.
4. Explain IEP process in simple terms. Language barriers or unfamiliarity with special education can make it difficult for parents to understand complex special ed terminology and acronyms. It is imperative that parents believe there is a staff member who will help them to understand the IEP process. They should be aware of what they should never leave an IEP meeting without and what they should look for in their child’s IEP.
Source: Special Ed Connection®. Copyright 2012 by LRP Publications, P.O. Box 24668, West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4668. All rights reserved. For more information on this or other products published by LRP Publications, please call 1-800-341-7874 or visit our website at www.shoplrp.com/special_ed.html