Compliance Checkpoints #1
Who Must Attend Every IEP Meeting?
The IEP Team must include at least the following four people:
1.
2.
3.
4.
a special education teacher;
a regular education teacher;
a “district representative,” i.e., an administrator or a designee
the parent/guardian/adult student; OR
- a person who has “educational rights,” with the evidence of a court
document or a signed parent letter in the student’s cumulative record file.
- If there is no parent, guardian, adult student or person with legal
educational rights, contact Hilary Shen, Parent Liaison, at X4297, to
arrange for a “surrogate parent” to attend.
- In the case of a student who is a foster child, contact MDUSD Foster
Youth Services, James Wogan & staff, at 458-6858:
a) to help determine who has “educational rights,” if needed; and
b) to invite a representative from district Foster Youth Services to
attend the IEP.
5. In addition, when assessment reports and recommendations are being
brought to the IEP meeting, the IEP team must also include a person who has
expertise in interpreting the assessment results, preferably the person(s)
who assessed the student.
6. In addition, the IEP team must include “related service” providers, e.g.,
Speech/Language Pathologist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist,
Psychologist,
7. In addition, the team should include the program specialist, if there is
any parent request or problem, or any student need, beyond the regular
routine.
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8. In addition the IEP team may include the student. When student
reaches age 15, they must be invited to the IEP to discuss transition
and be informed of their rights upon reaching 18 years old (This is
documented on the notice of IEP).
9. When appropriate an interpreter or translator must be in attendance
in order to facilitate communication with the parent/guardian and/or
student.
What is the law regarding the attendance of a regular education teacher at
an IEP meeting?
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The IEP team shall include a regular education teacher if the student
is or may be participating in regular education.
Which regular education teacher should attend the IEP meeting?
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At least one regular education teacher of the student must attend, if
the student is, or may be, participating in the regular education
environment. If more than one regular education teacher is providing
instructional services to the student, they should all attend or provide
input.
What is the regular education teacher’s responsibility at the IEP meeting?
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Prior to the meeting (s)he assists with the annual progress report on
current IEP goals and with the writing of draft new goals for the
Annual IEP.
The regular education teacher, to the extent appropriate, shall
participate in the development, review and revision of the IEP.
(S)he gives an update of student progress in all subjects (elementary)
or in his/her subject area(s) at Annual IEP meetings and at IEP
meetings held for other purposes.
(S)he assists in the determination of appropriate positive behavioral
interventions and supports, other strategies, the determination of
supplementary aids and services, program modifications and supports
for school personnel.
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When may a regular education teacher or other IEP team member be
excused from attending an IEP meeting?
A regular education teacher or other team member may be excused from
attending an IEP meeting:
1. if the parent agrees in writing that the attendance of the teacher is not
necessary, because the teacher’s area of the curriculum is not being
modified or discussed at the meeting.
2. when the meeting does involve a modification to or a discussion of the
teacher’s area of the curriculum, (s)he may be excused if both of the
following occur:
1) if the parent agrees in writing that the attendance of the teacher is
not necessary;
AND
2) if the teacher/team member submits input into the development of
the IEP program in writing, prior to the meeting.
This “input” should include: a progress report of current grades, a
progress report on current IEP goals and objectives related to the teacher’s
area of the curriculum, student attendance, work habits, behavior, work
completion, and homework turned in. Use the “Teacher/Service Provider
Input Form.”
How should the parent agree in writing?
Complete the “Team Member Excusal Form” prior to the meeting and obtain
parent/guardian/adult student signature.
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