Q: I wasn’t able to attend the IEP Saturday. What did I miss?
A: Clayton Holland sent an email to all certified special education staff dated February 25, 2012. Here are the main points:
~ Students’ IEP accommodations can now be found in PowerSchool.
~ The Gen/Sped Teacher option has been taken out of the database (summary of services). General education teachers cannot be the supervisor or the provider of special education services. You do not need to change any IEPs that have already been written, but this needs to be updated as you write IEPs from now on.
~ Vision and Hearing should not be checked on the Consent to Evaluate unless the student is actually going to be evaluated by a specialist. All students are screened and therefore consent is not needed for the annual nurse’s report.
~ Building school psychologists will be responsible for requesting and storing Woodcock-Johnson protocols for use at each school. In the future, if you need a protocol, contact the school psychologist rather than the district office. Until the Normative Updates are available on the district server, give your completed WJ protocols (with the raw scores calculated) to your school psychologist who will arrange to get them scored using the new norms. If you have questions, contact your school psychologist or your program coordinator.
Q: I have been in “the business” for a long time. I know what needs to be done and when. Why would you say that I should use the IEP Checklist from the database?
A: Everyone needs a reminder now and again. By following the process laid out on the IEP checklist, you are most likely to not forget any paperwork or any information. It is also really helpful for the secretaries at the District Office to ensure that they have received everything that you intended to send. Because the checklist is updated from time to time, print a copy directly from the “Blank Forms” section of the database so you will always have the most up-to-date version.
Q: Do I really have to hold my IEP before the annual review date? See, the weather has been so bad/ the parent couldn’t make it/ my dog ate my paperwork/ (insert additional excuse here…)
A: In a word, YES! This past month, we have had more IEPs that were out of compliance than in the whole school year so far.
The federal and state law requires that IEPs are reviewed annually. In order to remain in compliance AND provide the most current and effective program for the child, the IEP needs to be completed before the date of the previous IEP.
Recognizing that there are extenuating circumstances that sometimes arise, please plan ahead! It is crucial to plan to hold your IEP two weeks ahead of the due date. This allows for more time to reschedule if needed due to any number of problems that may arise.
**Addendum to this answer: This includes the idea that there are two deadlines when 3 years come around and BOTH need to be met. The annual review must be held prior to the IEP Annual Review Date. The 3 year re-evaluation must be held prior to the 3-year Re-evaluation Due Date. When in doubt, please ask!!