Anyone know anything about IEP's please?...........

[becaroo]

.....my ds1 is 6 in June. He has been in year 1 since september last year. He is a lovely boy and behaviour wise there are no problems BUT last parents evening we were told he is struggling with his reading and writing. It turns out this is a bit of an understatement - he is still at reception level and does not appear to be improving. He seems to have difficulty hearing the sounds and transferring that to the page. He has 10 mins extra help in class every day. I had been trying to help him and we had been doing some phonics work each evening after tea. HOWEVER, it really just wasnt helping so I asked for a meeting last week with his teacher.

I feel ds1 may be dyslexic....I requested an assessment and was told they dont assess them this young (not true, a friend of ds1's in another class was assessed last term). There has been no communication at all since last parents evening on his progress (or rather lack of it). Then his teacher told me that he is on something called an IEP (individual education plan) to help him and has been for some time.

My dh and I knew nothing about it! Another mum whose son is on one told me that I should have been told, I should have a copy of it and that I should be "signing off" on it. I feel very confused/angry as surely the school should have told me?

On the one hand his teacher says "there is cause for concern" and then on another he seems totally uninterested.....its parents evening in 2 weeks...what would you all do/say in the circumstnaces?

I have started using the Toe by toe teaching method with him every week night after tea and he is doing well.

He did have some developmental delay when younger so that could be a factor.....can I insist on an assessment? - we really cant afford £500 to have it done privately.

Thanks.

[gothicmama]

if he had developmental delay your Gp may be able to refer for an assessment, an IEP should be discussed with you as should any of the other school action plans. Check with the head if he is on IEP or school action and what you can do at home to support his learning in school consistency is good and if it is not working you will be able to see it likewise if it is working.
Going back to IEP it should identify resources available . If where you live works the same as where I m there are three stages School Action, School Action Plus and then IEP . sorry this is a really confusing post but I am feeding ds2 at the mo

[RachieW]

I agree with Gothicmama. This is what I know from my experience but it may differ from school to school- An IEP is set up to give a child specific targets for their work or in some cases behaviour. So for example if a child was dyslexic one of the targets could be to make sure that they write their b and d's the right way round. The target should then have a success criteria, e.g. how the teacher will know the child has achieved this and also resources or strategies that the child and teacher can/will use to reach the target. Again from my experience the class teacher will discuss the IEP with the parents once a need for one has been identified. The teacher and the parents normally both have a copy of the IEP, the IEP can also include activities parents can do at home to help their child reach the targets.

I think this is something you should discuss with the class teacher at parents evening or before. You need to see a copy of the IEP. I'm not sure about insisting on assessment and whether it's true about testing for dyslexia in Y1 as my experience is KS2 but the school should have a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who you could ask to meet to discuss your concerns. This will be the person who organises IEP's once the teacher raises a concern and testing for any learning difficulties. Our SENCO is always more than happy to be in contact with parents so hopefully yours is too. Hope this helps and good luck.

[maverick]

IEPs aren't worth the paper they are written on usually.

You should find the following helpful:

Should I have my child assessed?
www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/should_I_have.htm

The options -this discusses IEPs
www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/should_I_options.htm

[carocaro]

My DS is 6, 7 in April, (in year 2) and was assesed by the school in the last two months, by the special needs officer. His teacher put him on a termly IEP, we talk at least once a week about it, even if just for 5 mins after school and have a proper sit down meeting every half term. She and I also communicate via the homework diary. She gives us specific things to do at home eg:he can type his homework and just do 1 or 2 sentances, he has2 weeks to learn specific spellings not one like the others in class. Plus others things. She also told us to buy a computer programme called Wordshark which they use in class and he can use at home, it's £79 and we have not bought it yet as £ are tight. We are remortgaging in April and setting aside some £ to get a full assesment.

The head said it shouldhave been picked up in year 1, but his teacher was shit to be ffrank, his year 2 is BRILLIANT. So I guess it is the luck of the draw. His shit teacher put him on and IEP and did not even tell us. She made him miss play to finish his work, which he could not do, due to the dyslexia. I can't even look at her now,I want to scream at her 'you evil stupid bitch for making my son cry about writing'

Anyway.

One thing I did was find a Mum at school with an older dyslexic child (ask around) we went for coffee and she gave me the low down on what the school should be doing, what we should be doing etc etc. I felt so reassured and releived afterwards.

So go see the head, say you are not happy, that you want him assessed ASAP, then you want a new IEP drawn up.

The IEP is great as it has very specific goals that we all work towards, most are simple, so don't be afraid of an IEP.

We all want the best for our children and it can be so daunting, confusing and upsetting when you are facing something new like possible dyslexia. But be assured there is plenty you and the school can do to ensure you DS gets the support he needs.

If you want to talk more let me know.

xxxx

PS: I cried at the meeting with his teacher and special needs oficer when she told us about the dyslexia, because I felt sad, frustrated and angry. But now am OK with it all.

[sayithowitis]

cat64, In this area, there is no requirement of actual time for Action, merely that there is differentiation of work and that teachers work on the targets on the IEP. At Action+, we are expected to give 5 hours support weekly. That is, the eqivalent of 5 hours 1:1 support, though it does not have to be given 1:1 IYSWIM ( the children could work in a small group and the time is worked out pro rata).There is a complicated formula about working out the time, eg, a teacher time is worth three times a TA. TA time is taken as base, so 1h:45m of 1:1 teacher time ( or pro rata equivalent) will equate to 5h:15m TA time.

Also, in this area, IEPs are being phased out for any child who would not have got a minimum of 20 hours time on a statement! Since we have never had a child in our school with a 20 hour statement, however severe their needs, that basically means that we will no longer have any legal requirement to show provision etc on an IEP or to notify parents of changes to that support. Ok if your SENCO is good and does what is right not just what is legal, but what about those where school heads decide that they can 'help' the school budget by reducing the amount of support for a child who is currently on Action?

Can't wait to see how our authority square this with the requirements of the code of practice!

[becaroo]

Thank you everyone.

I have made an appointment to see the SENCO on monday after school and dh is coming with me; can I be a pain yet again and ask for advice with regards to what I should be asking?/expecting?

Thanks Cat64 and carocaro. and at the treatment of your ds carocaro!

I really want to complain about not being told about his IEP and complete lack of communication re: his progress and needs...but dont want to cause ill feeling, especially as my ds may suffer for it in the classroom IYKWIM?

He is doing very well with the toe by toe method, so perhaps it may be just a developmental thing? I really dont agree with this "one method of teaching fits all children" thing that most schools seem to practise.

Thanks again x

[carocaro]

I would just say that you have concerns and so does his teacher hence the IEP and leave the floor open to them to say what they think and take it from there. A dyslexia assesment may be a good place to start, good luck, keep us posted. x