As advocates, we are often in IEP team meetings where the subject of an IEP Goal Bank comes up. This is after the team has completed presenting and discussing the assessments, we have all looked at progress on last year’s…
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When determining where a student with an IEP will mainstreaming in special education, IEPs teams are required to start with the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Teams need to consider all placement options for each student with an IEP, and discuss…
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In order to qualify for an IEP, one must meet Federal Disability criteria listed under IDEA (the federal disability law named Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). The States may then add on their own criteria—and eligibility criteria under state law…
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As advocates, our clients sometimes ask us, “Can I record an IEP?” We always strongly recommend our clients record IEP team meetings. Many families are concerned that their child’s school will interpret this as adversarial. We get it, but record…
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For even highly-trained professionals, assumptions in special education are a difficult pitfall to avoid. Even parents of children who have well-written IEPs may eventually come across an IEP team meeting where assumptions about supports and services are made. Sometimes this…
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When we talk about long-term special education plans, we’re talking about looking into the next three to five years of your child’s life. While we may not know which members of your school district’s IEP team may still be present,…
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An IEP goal bank is a tool many schools use to write goals for students. If it comes from an official IEP goal bank, then it must be a goal dedicated to helping your child maximize their education, right? Not…
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It is news to no one reading this that the pandemic has been a challenging time and has affected schools in a way that distorts a reasonable IEP timeline. This is especially true in special education. It has brought out…
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Is there such a thing as an easy IEP? This is a great question and there are multiple answers. An easy IEP is when the school district writes the IEP with very little parent involvement, gives it to the parent…
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Aspire Advocacy’s founders have been advocates for a long time and have extensive knowledge of IEP insider tricks. They have attended hundreds (if not thousands) of IEPs. School districts, however, still find new and creative ways to surprise parents and…
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