I was watching a very open and honest @HoodHealer live video some time ago and she shared she had an IEP, and to be honest, if my parents were able to pay more attention to my early education, I would have had one too. As a teacher I’ve suggested it to parents, and as a mom...

I’ve sat for these meetings for my own child. I had a moment of deep innerstanding that I’d like to share with you.
An IEP stands for Individualized Educational Plan -Think about the wording. When a child is in need for support/adjustments in the classroom a meeting is suggested

to discuss what the challenge(s) are & the teacher, principal, guardian, and various learning and emotional specialist all decide on what adjustments can happen in the classroom and outside of the classroom in pullout services/resource room. This is in an effort to bridge

The gap in what the typical day in general ed can provide and what the individual child needs. In this system many children vary in their own “bar” of success. The distance between the upper bar and lower bar, casts a wide net. The children closest to the lower bar struggle so...

Hard to maintain that level, that almost always they will consistently perform at that level for the majority of their time in K-12. For some kids the struggles become a behavioral issue and they can continue to be failed by the system. Especially if they don’t have a learning

Disability that is recognized and diagnosed. They could struggle in school cause they’re hungry, tired, cold, hot, sick, traumatized and as I’ve been told while earning my masters in ECE, It’s often true for many children “school is a safe place to land.”

Children closest to the upper bar have plenty of variation within their group & it’s almost always dependent on how much & what kind of parental involvement (ie. expectations, time, resources). It’s especially difficult for children who are the youngest of older siblings that..

did well, knowledge of which are well known already in the school. This can also be true of students who struggle as well.
A note about IEPs: most of the time the suggestions for implementation are fairly straightforward & benign, here’s some suggestions you would see listed:

Sitting closer to the board/teacher, sitting further away from board/peers/distraction/windows/door, being assigned a different desk/chair, using a supportive pencil/crayon, speech/physical therapy, smaller group, more working time, visual schedule, quiet area to take test/work

Advanced notice of transitions, non verbal or verbal reminders, role playing, more frequent positive reinforcement, not using sarcasm or inferences while communicating with student, speak slower, bathroom breaks that are regulated (end of each period), sensory breaks and tools

In addition to that, as a parent, seeking out a professional for information about your child’s development and testing eyesight, hearing, etc... an IEP May include making sure glasses are worn, or as I stated, bathroom breaks are more frequent. Any of these are easy and simple -

Relative to having the RESOURCES in the district and at home for specialized dr visits - none of it is something a child performing at or close to the lower bar couldn’t also benefit from, in fact greatly so. It would be of help to children preforming high.

They would get a break from having to keep it together all the time. Fewer panic attacks because of a mistake or a lapse in judgement.
Imagine how amazing school would be if everyone was treated like they have an IEP and that’s was just the norm.

Not special, not othered, not challenged, UnGeneral Education. Some may say that this would make all children who don’t need accommodations, behave or perform at a lower level to get the “perks” or “special” treatment / accommodations. Well, true some kids may at first ...

But that wouldn’t mean they’re taking the easy route, not if you still hold everyone accountable.
Right now if I wanted to, I could pretend to need reading glasses and go through the whole rigmarole to get them. But why would I do that if I was fulfilled in all my needs...

What would I gain from doing that? What would make it worth the effort, and could motivate me more than just doing my best? I don’t pretend I need glasses because I don’t need it, and I recognize it’s not special treatment. It’s literally getting what you need to survive!

Some adults are struggling, with everything. But mostly because being held accountable and being supported is a fine line. And I don’t think they should be mutually exclusive. I have some thoughts about that, will post them on Wednesday.

#education #iep #nowthatithinkaboutit