News

Call LDA at 263-3323 for more information.

Just a reminder that Annual Reviews of IEPs and 504 plans will begin in January and go until the end of May.  These meetings are of critical importance as the IEP or 504 plan is the guiding document that that the school uses to implement your child’s educational program and to measure their progress.

Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare for your child’s Annual Review:

1. Make sure you are able to attend!  The school is obligated to hold the meeting at a time when you can be there.  This may seem obvious but many parents are not aware that they have the right to request that the meeting be re-scheduled to a more convenient time if needed.

2. Review copies of the last Annual Review and any testing done in the last year.  If you don’t have copies of these documents, make sure you request them prior to the meeting.

3. If you feel it is appropriate, make arrangements to have your son or daughter attend the meeting.  Review with them the purpose of the meeting and help them prepare a summary of how they feel the year has gone, both the successes and what needs improvement or changing.  Also, alert the members of your child’s team that they will be attending!

4. If you child will not be attending the meeting, talk to them!  How the year has gone?   Do they feel they have made progress toward their goals?  Ask them what has gone well and what hasn’t gone well.  What are their concerns and questions?  What would they like to change?  Their input is very important!

5. Talk to your child’s teacher(s) prior to the IEP meeting.  Get their impressions of what is working and what they think needs to be modified or changed.  Getting their input and thoughts in advance will give you the opportunity to think about and evaluate their suggestions and will keep you from feeling blindsided during the meeting.

6. If your child is entering high school, make sure services and supports to help your child prepare for life outside of high school are included in the IEP.  All high school students must have a written transition plan as part of their IEP.  The plan must address all areas of young adult life – living, earning and learning!

7. If your child is approaching graduation, review what testing or documentation your child will need to be eligible for services or accommodations when they leave school.  Typically, the school will review your child’s assessments every three years.  They may not actually re-test your child.  Most colleges/post-secondary education programs and adult service providers require current testing (usually 1 to 3 years old) to determine eligibility for services or accommodations.

8. Think about the goals and objectives you would like the school to address.   Having a clear picture of what is important to you and your child going into the meeting will help you feel more in control and help make sure you get what you want from the process!.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s educational program or progress or if you are having difficulty working collaboratively with their school team LDA’s Educational Consultants are available to help – don’t hesitate to contact us at 585 263 3323!