Is it usual for IEP to set low targets? Am a bit [confused]

[zen1]

DS3 is 3 next month and has been attending a SN pre-school since February (2 days per wk) and main stream pre-school since September (1 day). Today I was shown his IEP by the SN pre-school and was a bit surprised as he can already do most things they have set for targets. In fact, some things he has been able to do for almost a year. BUT, because he hasn't demonstrated this to the pre-school, they say they can't tick that he has achieved it, and therefore keep working on it. For example, "point to 3 body parts on self and others". He can verbally name 10 body parts and will do so when he wants to, but admittedly he won't do anything he doesn't want to do and it is hard to get him to comply with these kind of assessments. I may be missing something, but I can't see the value on continually working on something he can already do. What do others think?

Satrm it of course being so taxing to carry a clipboard about and make an occasional mark on it.

Willow, very funny!

Thank you very much for your pointers everyone. Starlight, I liked your letter, and may do something similar when I have worked out exactly what I want to say. I am even more cross this morning because I have realised that the 'coded' numbers by the side of each target refer to their corresponding code on the portage developmental checklist given to me by DS's portage worker. These 'targets' have all been ticked by the portage worker as she has seen DS do these things. What annoys me more is that DS is able to do most things on the age 2-3 checklist and we are working on the things he finds more difficult. However, the targets set for DS from the nursery are in the age 1-2 range. I wouldn't mind if he genuinely couldn't do them, but he can! Every time I have challenged the IEP 'setter' about what she has written, she twists it round and says, "yes, I know he can do that, but we are looking for him to show he can do this". I find it very confusing.

hocus,I was not consulted at all over the IEP, just asked to sign on the dotted line. As Starlight said, it doesn't seem to make any difference whether I agreed with it or not. The pointing to bodyparts target was on the last IEP (8 months ago!!), and I said in quite strong terms then that DS could do it. The nursery principal got all huffy and said "well tick it then!", but it has still appeared again. God, maybe I should just pull him out of there?

Incidently, the mainstream pre-school let me lead on what I wanted in their IEP for him, and document every week what they have done with him, words he has said etc