The IEP process….is it one of compliance or a thoughtful plan to promote a child’s success?

I have sat in thousands of IEP meetings in my career as a building administrator. Most times, the objective has been about compliance….with dates, with minutes for services, with delivery of SDI, with testing accommodations, and, of course, making sure that all the signatures are secured.

Shouldn’t we start at the beginning…. with the true spirit of the document…the future planning statement…or what I believe tobe the heart and soul of the document.  The future planning statement is often collected at the annual IEP review meeting with little discussion or thought. It is added only to keep the document in compliance. What would happen if this statement became the focus of our discussion regarding the educational trajectory of each child with special needs? Where do we expect them to be in one year, five years, at graduation? How can that shift our thinking when we are establishing goals and objectives. The future planning statement should become our collective vision for a child…the hopes and dreams that define a successful future. What are your child’s dreams and how can we help them accomplish those dreams?

The IEP process should be about supporting the acquisition of the future planning statement. That means giving that statement all our attention when defining goals and objectives, specially designed instruction, as well as classroom accommodations for each child. Let the IEP process begin with the future planning statement.