Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 I can give you my experinxe as an educator and as a mom of a deaf child. AT a mininmum an IEP should be reviewed every year to review the goals. All teachers that serve the child must attend. Ther is suppose to be a 2 week written invitation to the parents. This gives the parents a chance to arrange their schedule or to send in a different time. Othertimes an IEP meeting can be called by any member of the team. So far this school year I have had an IEP meeting twice for one child. We have to add a very small amount to the IEP, but we still must meet to add that. There will be me(teacher), speech, and Hearing impaired and the mom. If one person needs to change something and all the others are not needed then we do not have to have the other members. My daughter is getting ready to have her Speech goals change. Her OT does not have to be there since the goals for that are not changing. Everything is formal, but relaxed. The goals can be written ahead of time, but still have to be approved by all memebers. You can always change and add to teh IEP at the meeting. Is this your first IEP to place the child or a review? Amy Eileen Volz eileenev2003@...> wrote: I am gathering info for my sons IEP meeting and would like some input on " team meetings " . By this I mean meetings of the parent, teachers, TOD, speech language pathologist (if applicable) etc. on a regular basis. He is currently in the third grade and the amount of academic material has been overwhelming. My questions are: 1. Do you have regular team meetings?? If so, how often?? 2. Who is present at theser meetings?? 3. Are they included as part of the IEP or handled outside of this forum?? 4. If not in the IEP, who is reponsible for arranging them??? 5. Are all teachers required to attend??? At present, we are not having any formal meetings, but I feel that more progress would be made if we had it. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Eileen mom to CJ (moderate-severe loss both ears, 9yo) and (hearing, 6yo) --------------------------------- Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 When our son was in elementary school, we typically had at least two IEP meetings everyone--one official meeting and another to bring up issues that weren't working. In between, I used e-mail regularly with his teachers to stay informed. He just started middle school this year, and I typically send out e-mail to all of his teachers at least once a month, asking for clarification on behavior issues, and trying to get feedback from them. I also CC these e-mails to the IEP coordinator and his counselor/vice principal, so that they are aware of my concerns. I also don't hesitate to ask for a meeting with the team or with specific teachers if there are issues that I don't feel can be addressed appropriately via e-mail. However, there is no regular frequency--once at the beginning of the year, then again as often as I feel necessary. Kiminy Eileen Volz eileenev2003@...> wrote: I am gathering info for my sons IEP meeting and would like some input on " team meetings " . By this I mean meetings of the parent, teachers, TOD, speech language pathologist (if applicable) etc. on a regular basis. He is currently in the third grade and the amount of academic material has been overwhelming. My questions are: 1. Do you have regular team meetings?? If so, how often?? 2. Who is present at theser meetings?? 3. Are they included as part of the IEP or handled outside of this forum?? 4. If not in the IEP, who is reponsible for arranging them??? 5. Are all teachers required to attend??? At present, we are not having any formal meetings, but I feel that more progress would be made if we had it. Any input would be greatly appreciated. --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Hi Eileen - we found for both our boys that third grade was a real banner year - the work got harder, expectations were higher. And there was a lot more work. We don't have regular team meetings but I can ask for a meeting anytime and it happens. Depending on the " issue du jour " , the SPED teacher is there, often the guidance counsellor (our boys are in middle school), when they were younger the SLP and often our teacher of the deaf. When they were in elementary school their classroom teacher and aid(s) would attend also. When you ask if they are included as part of the IEP, do you mean the folks who attend these meetings? I'm not sure what you're asking. So for example, earlier this year, we had some issues and called a meeting. Because it was an organization issue for Tom (my 14 year old also has ADHD), my husband and I attended, the guidance counselor and his SPED teacher. If there are issues/questions relating to a subject (for Tom - math - Tom's math teacher and I are *always* best friends!), then that particular teacher will attend also. it's pretty fluid but has worked well for us. Barbara Eileen Volz wrote: > > I am gathering info for my sons IEP meeting and would like some input > on " team meetings " . By this I mean meetings of the parent, teachers, > TOD, speech language pathologist (if applicable) etc. on a regular > basis. He is currently in the third grade and the amount of academic > material has been overwhelming. > My questions are: > 1. Do you have regular team meetings?? If so, how often?? > 2. Who is present at theser meetings?? > 3. Are they included as part of the IEP or handled outside of this > forum?? > 4. If not in the IEP, who is reponsible for arranging them??? > 5. Are all teachers required to attend??? > At present, we are not having any formal meetings, but I feel that > more progress would be made if we had it. > Any input would be greatly appreciated. > Eileen > mom to CJ (moderate-severe loss both ears, 9yo) and (hearing, > 6yo) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 <<1. Do you have regular team meetings?? If so, how often??>> We never had a regular informal team meeting, but then again, we never had a properly functioning IEP team when Ian was in the elementary school. I requested that there be update meetings several times during the year to assess how things were doing and those were attended by the legally required IEP personnel. I've never heard of monthly meetings being included in a written IEP. It doesn't sound like a teaching strategy, more of a management issue and that is not something usually included in an IEP. Remember that the IEP is a legal document and what is in it MUST be done. If one month there just isn't a need for a meeting and no one wants one, then the school actually out of compliance and can get in trouble -- they have to hold the meeting if it's in the IEP. It just doesn't sound to me like something a school would approve to include in the formal IEP. I meet with Ian's TOD on a regular basis, even if it is just a phone conversation or note exchanged via his planner. She has 30 minutes in her schedule each week to met with and support the teachers. That additional time is included in the IEP and is worded so that it can happen or can be skipped if not needed. It is included to support the teachers and honestly, every week someone has something to discuss with the TOD so it is rarely not used. Our schools have monthly meetings where the teachers gather to discuss and work on ideas for helping/dealing with kids who are having trouble. Those meetings are for teachers only and do not focus on one child, or even on classified kids. Our Spec Ed teacher and classroom teachers had weekly (even daily) meetings after school to discuss all their kids and their needs, but parents are not invited to those. They are the teachers' planning meetings. Our district sends out 5-week progress reports (midway through marking period) and then the report card every 10-weeks. At each of those points, along with the academic review (from the classroom teachers) the Spec Ed teacher sent an evaluation of how Ian's IEP goals were being met. That regular assessment of the IEP goals is required here in NY. If there were suggestions about things that needed changing in the IEP, then we would schedule a formal meeting. If at any point there was a reason, we would meet with the teachers to address the concerns or needs, but it was informal, not an IEP meeting. 2. Who is present at these meetings?? I would guess that anyone needed would be at that meeting, but the school can't require anyone be there unless it is an official meeting. And people's schedules are not always going to work out to have everyone there every time. 3. Are they included as part of the IEP or handled outside of this forum?? As I said above, it sounds to me as though this is not something that is usually in an IEP. I've never heard of it, but that doesn't mean if can't be done. Your school may argue that it's inappropriate, and putting it in makes things unnecessarily hard on them. You're going to have to discuss this proposition with the people involved. 4. If not in the IEP, who is responsible for arranging them??? I'd talk with the Spec Ed teacher and the team about this idea in general. If it is meant to be unofficial, then it would probably be attended by the main contact teachers and not include anyone at the administrative level. And since the meeting is for you, then I'd say you're the one to be setting it up with the teachers needed. Can one of your child's teachers be the in-school coordinator? 5. Are all teachers required to attend??? Again, not unless it is an official IEP meeting. And if it is made an official item in the IEP, they are obliged to hold a meeting even if no one who works with your child is available. In that case, the school will bring in another people to fill those legally mandated roles (adhering to the letter of the law) and it may not even be someone who knows your child. It sounds like this could be a great way to support your child, but it could also be a difficult thing to coordinate if it becomes part of the things mandated in an IEP. I'd be careful about the wording and won't be surprised if your school agrees to have the meetings, but not to put them into the IEP. Best -- Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 <<1. Do you have regular team meetings?? If so, how often??>> We never had a regular informal team meeting, but then again, we never had a properly functioning IEP team when Ian was in the elementary school. I requested that there be update meetings several times during the year to assess how things were doing and those were attended by the legally required IEP personnel. I've never heard of monthly meetings being included in a written IEP. It doesn't sound like a teaching strategy, more of a management issue and that is not something usually included in an IEP. Remember that the IEP is a legal document and what is in it MUST be done. If one month there just isn't a need for a meeting and no one wants one, then the school actually out of compliance and can get in trouble -- they have to hold the meeting if it's in the IEP. It just doesn't sound to me like something a school would approve to include in the formal IEP. I meet with Ian's TOD on a regular basis, even if it is just a phone conversation or note exchanged via his planner. She has 30 minutes in her schedule each week to met with and support the teachers. That additional time is included in the IEP and is worded so that it can happen or can be skipped if not needed. It is included to support the teachers and honestly, every week someone has something to discuss with the TOD so it is rarely not used. Our schools have monthly meetings where the teachers gather to discuss and work on ideas for helping/dealing with kids who are having trouble. Those meetings are for teachers only and do not focus on one child, or even on classified kids. Our Spec Ed teacher and classroom teachers had weekly (even daily) meetings after school to discuss all their kids and their needs, but parents are not invited to those. They are the teachers' planning meetings. Our district sends out 5-week progress reports (midway through marking period) and then the report card every 10-weeks. At each of those points, along with the academic review (from the classroom teachers) the Spec Ed teacher sent an evaluation of how Ian's IEP goals were being met. That regular assessment of the IEP goals is required here in NY. If there were suggestions about things that needed changing in the IEP, then we would schedule a formal meeting. If at any point there was a reason, we would meet with the teachers to address the concerns or needs, but it was informal, not an IEP meeting. 2. Who is present at these meetings?? I would guess that anyone needed would be at that meeting, but the school can't require anyone be there unless it is an official meeting. And people's schedules are not always going to work out to have everyone there every time. 3. Are they included as part of the IEP or handled outside of this forum?? As I said above, it sounds to me as though this is not something that is usually in an IEP. I've never heard of it, but that doesn't mean if can't be done. Your school may argue that it's inappropriate, and putting it in makes things unnecessarily hard on them. You're going to have to discuss this proposition with the people involved. 4. If not in the IEP, who is responsible for arranging them??? I'd talk with the Spec Ed teacher and the team about this idea in general. If it is meant to be unofficial, then it would probably be attended by the main contact teachers and not include anyone at the administrative level. And since the meeting is for you, then I'd say you're the one to be setting it up with the teachers needed. Can one of your child's teachers be the in-school coordinator? 5. Are all teachers required to attend??? Again, not unless it is an official IEP meeting. And if it is made an official item in the IEP, they are obliged to hold a meeting even if no one who works with your child is available. In that case, the school will bring in another people to fill those legally mandated roles (adhering to the letter of the law) and it may not even be someone who knows your child. It sounds like this could be a great way to support your child, but it could also be a difficult thing to coordinate if it becomes part of the things mandated in an IEP. I'd be careful about the wording and won't be surprised if your school agrees to have the meetings, but not to put them into the IEP. Best -- Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 <<1. Do you have regular team meetings?? If so, how often??>> We never had a regular informal team meeting, but then again, we never had a properly functioning IEP team when Ian was in the elementary school. I requested that there be update meetings several times during the year to assess how things were doing and those were attended by the legally required IEP personnel. I've never heard of monthly meetings being included in a written IEP. It doesn't sound like a teaching strategy, more of a management issue and that is not something usually included in an IEP. Remember that the IEP is a legal document and what is in it MUST be done. If one month there just isn't a need for a meeting and no one wants one, then the school actually out of compliance and can get in trouble -- they have to hold the meeting if it's in the IEP. It just doesn't sound to me like something a school would approve to include in the formal IEP. I meet with Ian's TOD on a regular basis, even if it is just a phone conversation or note exchanged via his planner. She has 30 minutes in her schedule each week to met with and support the teachers. That additional time is included in the IEP and is worded so that it can happen or can be skipped if not needed. It is included to support the teachers and honestly, every week someone has something to discuss with the TOD so it is rarely not used. Our schools have monthly meetings where the teachers gather to discuss and work on ideas for helping/dealing with kids who are having trouble. Those meetings are for teachers only and do not focus on one child, or even on classified kids. Our Spec Ed teacher and classroom teachers had weekly (even daily) meetings after school to discuss all their kids and their needs, but parents are not invited to those. They are the teachers' planning meetings. Our district sends out 5-week progress reports (midway through marking period) and then the report card every 10-weeks. At each of those points, along with the academic review (from the classroom teachers) the Spec Ed teacher sent an evaluation of how Ian's IEP goals were being met. That regular assessment of the IEP goals is required here in NY. If there were suggestions about things that needed changing in the IEP, then we would schedule a formal meeting. If at any point there was a reason, we would meet with the teachers to address the concerns or needs, but it was informal, not an IEP meeting. 2. Who is present at these meetings?? I would guess that anyone needed would be at that meeting, but the school can't require anyone be there unless it is an official meeting. And people's schedules are not always going to work out to have everyone there every time. 3. Are they included as part of the IEP or handled outside of this forum?? As I said above, it sounds to me as though this is not something that is usually in an IEP. I've never heard of it, but that doesn't mean if can't be done. Your school may argue that it's inappropriate, and putting it in makes things unnecessarily hard on them. You're going to have to discuss this proposition with the people involved. 4. If not in the IEP, who is responsible for arranging them??? I'd talk with the Spec Ed teacher and the team about this idea in general. If it is meant to be unofficial, then it would probably be attended by the main contact teachers and not include anyone at the administrative level. And since the meeting is for you, then I'd say you're the one to be setting it up with the teachers needed. Can one of your child's teachers be the in-school coordinator? 5. Are all teachers required to attend??? Again, not unless it is an official IEP meeting. And if it is made an official item in the IEP, they are obliged to hold a meeting even if no one who works with your child is available. In that case, the school will bring in another people to fill those legally mandated roles (adhering to the letter of the law) and it may not even be someone who knows your child. It sounds like this could be a great way to support your child, but it could also be a difficult thing to coordinate if it becomes part of the things mandated in an IEP. I'd be careful about the wording and won't be surprised if your school agrees to have the meetings, but not to put them into the IEP. Best -- Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 We have a couple of methods for keeping up with the therapists. In Elias's IEP, we have " consult " time specified with each of the therapists. That is time for me to meet with the therapist, in person or by phone, in order to discuss issues. I also use a journal book for the SEIT and the OT - we write comments to each other on a daily or weekly basis. That is not in the IEP, though. Bonnie > > > < > I meet with Ian's TOD on a regular basis, even if it is just a phone > conversation or note exchanged via his planner. She has 30 minutes in her > schedule > each week to met with and support the teachers. That additional time is > included in the IEP and is worded so that it can happen or can be skipped > if not > needed. It is included to support the teachers and honestly, every week > someone > has something to discuss with the TOD so it is rarely not used. > > Our schools have monthly meetings where the teachers gather to discuss and > > work on ideas for helping/dealing with kids who are having trouble. Those > meetings are for teachers only and do not focus on one child, or even on > classified kids. Our Spec Ed teacher and classroom teachers had weekly > (even daily) > meetings after school to discuss all their kids and their needs, but > parents > are not invited to those. They are the teachers' planning meetings. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 We have a couple of methods for keeping up with the therapists. In Elias's IEP, we have " consult " time specified with each of the therapists. That is time for me to meet with the therapist, in person or by phone, in order to discuss issues. I also use a journal book for the SEIT and the OT - we write comments to each other on a daily or weekly basis. That is not in the IEP, though. Bonnie > > > < > I meet with Ian's TOD on a regular basis, even if it is just a phone > conversation or note exchanged via his planner. She has 30 minutes in her > schedule > each week to met with and support the teachers. That additional time is > included in the IEP and is worded so that it can happen or can be skipped > if not > needed. It is included to support the teachers and honestly, every week > someone > has something to discuss with the TOD so it is rarely not used. > > Our schools have monthly meetings where the teachers gather to discuss and > > work on ideas for helping/dealing with kids who are having trouble. Those > meetings are for teachers only and do not focus on one child, or even on > classified kids. Our Spec Ed teacher and classroom teachers had weekly > (even daily) > meetings after school to discuss all their kids and their needs, but > parents > are not invited to those. They are the teachers' planning meetings. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 We have a couple of methods for keeping up with the therapists. In Elias's IEP, we have " consult " time specified with each of the therapists. That is time for me to meet with the therapist, in person or by phone, in order to discuss issues. I also use a journal book for the SEIT and the OT - we write comments to each other on a daily or weekly basis. That is not in the IEP, though. Bonnie > > > < > I meet with Ian's TOD on a regular basis, even if it is just a phone > conversation or note exchanged via his planner. She has 30 minutes in her > schedule > each week to met with and support the teachers. That additional time is > included in the IEP and is worded so that it can happen or can be skipped > if not > needed. It is included to support the teachers and honestly, every week > someone > has something to discuss with the TOD so it is rarely not used. > > Our schools have monthly meetings where the teachers gather to discuss and > > work on ideas for helping/dealing with kids who are having trouble. Those > meetings are for teachers only and do not focus on one child, or even on > classified kids. Our Spec Ed teacher and classroom teachers had weekly > (even daily) > meetings after school to discuss all their kids and their needs, but > parents > are not invited to those. They are the teachers' planning meetings. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Hi Eileen, We don't have any formal meetings outside of the IEP, which for us has only been held once a year. If I have any questions or concerns, I usually call our HI. I'm sure that most parents need to call the school to talk to the HI. I have her home phone number so we do most of our talking in the evening. If there is something that I feel I can address with her classroom teacher, then I write an email, or ask to set up a time to speak to her afterschool or over the phone. We haven't had any problems with other teachers, so I've not needed to contact them...but I wouldn't hesitate to if I felt the need. Debbie, mom to , 7, moderate SNHL and , 4, hearing Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not. G.B Shaw --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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