Module 9 Blog 10/31/14
IDEA Public Law 105-17 states that students with disabilities who are age 14 and above should be invited to their IEP meetings. This article discussed the benefits of involving students with high incident disabilities in their IEP meeting. Most of the research included older students. There was a good sampling of students. One student had an IQ of 68 and classified as mildly mentally disabled, one learning disabled student, and one behavioral disordered student was included. I wished the study would have been expanded to include elementary students as well. Having students identify what skills they feel they would like to work on is an important process to helping them gain independence. This helps increase their self-advocacy skills. They have the chance to share their interests as well as their desires. A student that is involved in their IEP meeting is more likely to make improvements. They will be aware of what skills they are trying to achieve. They will take more ownership of their progress. It will give them the power to change their own future. The IEP meeting is not something done "to them", but "with them", and that changes the perception of everything. I have my students write out 3 goals each quarter and we revisit them at the end of the quarter to see how they did, what they could improve, etc. The students are more involved in their progress and take pride in participation of their own education.
Test D, Neale M. Using "The Self-Advocacy Strategy" to Increase Middle Graders' IEP Participation. Journal Of Behavioral Education [serial online]. June 1, 2004;13(2):135-145. Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 31, 2014.
Kris,
ReplyDeleteI think allowing the students that can comprehend their meeting attend is highly beneficial. I have one student that looks forward to his IEP meeting because he gets to make a PowerPoint about how he has done the past year and how he liked his goals. It provides a great picture for what he enjoys doing and what he would like to do in the future. A lot of these individuals are adults that are finally able to advocate for themselves and that is so important for them in life. This article sounds great and I will have to give it a read.
This is a very important topic. Nick, I think it's awesome that students are actively involved in their IEP meeting. We need more of that! Kristin also brings up a good point that the article could have included elementary students. I think it is so important that we involve the students in the IEP process early, that way they feel comfortable and confident contributing their transition planning (that we will discuss in our module this week). Teaching students about their disabilities and how to advocate is so important. Like I've mentioned before, I have students that come to college that have just recently learned they even have a disability. Learning how to advocate later in life is more difficult, so if we can do it early, it only serves to help our students. I'm glad you read and commented on this article.
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