Molly Rosinski Boston and Dallas Regional Disability Coordinator An Overview of How to Effectively Use IEPs in the Creation of Accommodation Plans

IEP Basics 2

What Does IEP Stand for? Individualized Education Program (IEP) It is an individualized document that outlines the special education program for an individual with a disability No two IEPs should be the same The IEP guides the delivery of special education supports and services for the student with a disability 3

How Does a Student Qualify for an IEP? Must attend a school or setting that receives IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funding Must be an individual with a qualified disability Must be in need of special education supports and services 4

The IEP in the Public School System Maintain active IEPs Review and update annually Update goals and objectives regularly (quarterly, monthly, etc) Monitor the implementation of special education and related services and supplementary aids and services 5

The IEP in Job Corps 6

Typically, the IEP serves as Documentation of a disability One tool for determining accommodation needs on a Job Corps accommodation plan Remember, however, for centers with high school programs who fall under IDEA, the IEP serves as the program plan for the delivery of special education services and supports 7

Typically JC develops accommodation plans for qualified students with disabilities who are in need of reasonable accommodation. IEPs are used as a tool in the development of accommodation plans 8

The IEP as a Tool 9 The following information from an IEP can help in the development of an accommodation plan: 1. Documentation of an individual’s disability 2. Present levels of functioning (sometimes known as a PLOP or PLEP) 3. Goals necessary for the individual to either access the general education curriculum (in state’s with standards based IEPs) or states the educational goals of the individual.

The IEP as a Tool (cont’d) Accommodations and supports provided in the public school setting. 5. Diploma type the applicant is seeking 6. Assessment track in which the applicant is participating 7. Educational setting where services will be provided

Documentation 13 Categories 11 Autism Deafness Deaf-blindness Emotional disturbance Hearing impairment Learning disability Mental retardation Multiple disabilities Orthopedic impairment Other health impairment Speech or language impairment Traumatic brain injury Visual impairment including blindness

Important Note 12 An IEP classification is not a specific diagnosis and school IEP teams do not diagnose students. For example, on an IEP it may say Specific Learning Disability. That is a classification and is not the specific type of learning disability. Some types are dyslexia, dyscalculia, auditory processing, etc.

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High and Low Incidence Disabilities 14 High IncidenceLow Incidence Learning DisabilitiesOrthopedic ImpairmentBlind-deaf Language ImpairmentHearing ImpairmentMultiple Disabilities Mental RetardationVisual ImpairmentDevelopmental Delay Emotional DisturbanceAutism Other Health ImpairmentTraumatic Brain Injury

PLOP/PLEP 15 This is the foundation of an IEP. A well written PLOP should tell you all the things you need to know about a student’s present levels of functioning with relation to the educational environment. Strengths Weaknesses Assessment Data Successful Strategies Used

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Goals and Objectives 17 The IEP lists measurable annual goals, consistent with the student's needs and abilities Each annual goal should include evaluative criteria The IEP should identify when periodic reports will take place on the progress the student is making toward the annual goals

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Accommodations and Supports 19 Should be related to disability Could include assistive technology Could include modifications Should include all environments necessary (classroom, testing, extra curricular activities, fieldtrips, etc)

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Adaptations-Umbrella Terms for Accommodations and Modifications 21 Modifications Altering the curriculum to match individual needs May change the content of the course Fundamentally alters or lowers the standard or expectation of the course, standard, or test Accommodations Does not change the content of the course Does not fundamentally alter or lower the standard or expectation of the course, standard, or test Student will earn regular credit for course and is eligible for a High School Diploma

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Diploma Type 23 Is the student to receive a standard high school diploma, certificate of completion or IEP diploma?

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Assessment Track 25 Do they take state assessments with accommodations and/or modifications? Are they exempt or do they take alternative testing? This can help with accommodation writing for TABE and GED. This information can help you understand: the curriculum type the student is using the assessment method in which the student is participating the types of accommodations being afforded in testing situations

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Educational Services/Setting 28 Where and when special education and related services will be provided General education environment Special education environment Amount of time spend in each location or service

IEP Language The IEP says that a student was “pulled out” for math into a resource room. The IEP says that a student needs “1:1 support” in the area of reading. Do these statements mean this individual cannot be successful in the Job Corps program? 29

What Does1:1 Mean? 30 May need a full time instructional assistant. Rarely, if ever does a student get assigned a 1:1 teacher. Review the IEP carefully Types of accommodations – how much technology is provided Types of special education services and where Present levels of performance Evaluative assessments and recommendations What did 1:1 mean for this individual? Could technology and other accommodations increase his/her independence in the learning environment?

Why Might a Student be Served in a Resource Room? 31 May need a smaller group environment May be distractible May need to move at a slower pace than the rest of the class May need specialized instruction (qualifications of the resource room teacher) May be that the particular school district does not ascribe to an inclusive model May have sensory needs exacerbated by a larger classroom environment

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Things to Consider 33

Appropriate Accommodations 34 The accommodations listed on the IEP may or may not be appropriate for the student in the Job Corps setting. The IDT should talk to the applicant or student and ask what types of accommodations that he or she feels are needed to be successful in the program. The applicant or the student may not know what he or she needs but could perhaps share more information about things that are difficult for them and things that are easier for them to do.

When Writing an Accommodation Plan 35 Of key importance is that the IDT review accommodation needs in discussion with the applicant and that determinations be made based upon current needs be individualized are not based upon preconceived ideas or misperceptions of an individual’s capability based upon the type of disability or the services previously received. Must consider all areas of the JC program

Other Sources to Consider for Accommodation Ideas 36 Job Corps Disability Website Reasonable Accommodation section, Possible Accommodations subsection Job Corps Learning Disabilities Website IEP as a tool section Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR)

37 Chicago Region – Kim Jones San Francisco Region– Sylvia Domagalski Boston and Dallas Regions– Molly Rosinski Atlanta and Philadelphia Regions– Pat Jackson