Facilitating Effective IEP
Meetings
Presented by SRCS
Essential Elements of Any Meeting
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Agenda
Proposed Ground Rules
IEP preparedness
Meeting Agreements/Follow-Up
Agenda
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The agenda is the road map for the meeting.
It is what you are going to talk about and
must be agreed upon before the meeting
begins. It is important to determine what
items both parties want to address in the
meeting. Once this is known, clarify where is
on the agenda. If no, determine the next
steps.
Proposed Ground Rules
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Every meeting should start with ground rules
that determine how people will behave in the
meeting. Ground rules protect the
participants from attack or abuse and provide
a tool for participants to maintain order, a
respectful environment and a timely meeting.
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Keep visible
Ask for agreement
Typical Ground Rules
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Treat each other with respect- both verbal
and body language
Let people speak without interruption
When sharing reports, summarize
Hold what is shared in the meeting as
confidential
Turn off cell phones
Typical Ground Rules Continued…
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Listen with an open mind (provide examples)
Use the past to inform the future ( don't dwell
on the past)
Work collaboratively towards a solution
Caucuses will be allowed
IEP Preparedness
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Case Carrier
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Mail request for the Parent information with the IEP Meeting
Notice Form 30 days prior to the IEP’s Annual or Triennial
date. Designate the purpose of the meeting.
Include excusal form with the IEP Meeting Notice
Reserve a room with a large enough space to
accommodate all participants, with enough chairs. Electrical
outlets for computer needs
Telephone for conference all, if needed (language line or
other participant)
Schedule 1 ½ hours for the meeting
IEP Preparedness Continued..
Invite all necessary IEP Team members and send
out the IEP Meeting Notice
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Administrator
Parent(s)
Student
Special Education Teacher
General Education Teacher
Anyone else who has assessed the student for the
upcoming IEP or who has important information to
share.
Prior to the IEP Meeting
(10 days or less)
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Assessment reports sent to the parents
Draft goals and objectives sent to the parent
Copy Proposed Agenda
Confirm that all necessary team members will attend
the IEP Meeting
Memo/email to all IEP members to bring assessment
reports, student work samples, health and
attendance information, draft goals and objectives,
etc. to the IEP meeting.
Prior to the IEP Meeting
Continued…(10 days or less)
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Prepare Proposed Ground Rules
Copies made of proposed Ground Rules for
all IEP participants
For an Initial; a call to the parent to explain
the IEP process. Explain the roles of
participants, review the agenda and define
consensus and the role of the parent.
The Day of The IEP Meeting
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IEP members bring assessment reports,
student work samples, health and
attendance information, draft goals and
objectives, etc. to the IEP meeting.
Confirm attendance
Basic snacks and water
Room is set up
Meeting Agreements/Follow-Up
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Follow-up is crucial for trust and positive
meetings. Use a Follow-up form, Document
show will review the list to ensure that that
the follow-up occurred.
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Progress reports sent home
Communications with family
Monitor behavior
Document contact in a log
Document attendance
Reminders
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When working with interpreters/translatorsmake eye contact with the parent
Begin the meeting with a success story about
the student
Be positive
Involve the parents
Be aware of cultural reciprocity
Cultural reciprocity
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Cultural reciprocity is the process of becoming aware and
understanding these subtle, deep-seated values in our
professional beliefs and practice so that we can explain
them to families from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds who might not share these same values. By
clarifying to ourselves why we recommend a particular
practice to a family, we become aware of the imbedded
cultural values and begin to recognize that our assumptions
about what is "right" practice may not be universal.
Questions/Comments
Thank You
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Carlo Rossi
Denise Reich
Monica Pecarovich
Judy Eldridge