The key to a successful
inclusion into the general education classroom is a well developed IEP
Individualized Education Program. An IEP
is the development of an individualized program of instruction done by team
consisting of teacher, student, and parental support to design the most
effective plan of instruction for student with disabilities. The IEP also takes
into consideration student outcomes and goals that need to be reached at each
level of the IEP. Each IEP is based on a student’s “evaluation and is outcome
oriented” (Turnbull, Turnbull, and Wehmeyer 2010, p.16). The IEP process
consists of these processes:
- Pre-referral
- Referral
- Identification
- Eligibility
- Development of the IEP
- Implementation of the IEP
- Evaluation and reviews
The importance of an
IEP to the education of a student with disability is that at each level of the
process, teachers are able to identify and assess the best method of
instruction for the student based on the identification of needs, evaluation
and reviews teacher is able to design effective lessons and assessments to meet
the needs of student.
In addition, as relayed
by Turnbull, Turnbull, and Wehmeyer (2010) team members must also consider
child’s strengths, child’s parents and their concerns, the results of initial
and subsequent nondiscriminatory evaluations, and the child’s academic,
developmental and functional needs. Also, within the scope of the IEP plan
family involvement is crucial in planning. Family involvement is important
because students with disabilities need the support of parental support and
parents need to know what their student is learning so that they can continue
the reinforcement of skills at home.
Because student success
is important, many schools are involving older students in the planning of
their own IEP’s. One way this is achieved is that teachers encourage students
through class discussions, individual seatwork, one-on- one conference with the
teacher or para-educator, and even with homework and parental support. Through
various creative formats students are given an opportunity to take an active
part in their educational goals. In addition, IEP’s can also help to develop
student’s skills, such as self-determination, awareness, and advocacy (www.cec.sped.org).
Council of Exceptional Children (2010). Retrieved
from http://www.cec.sped.org
Turnbull, A. Turnbull, R. & Wehmeyer, M. (2010). Exceptional
lives: Special education in
today’s schools. (6th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN: 9780558847012
No comments:
Post a Comment