As a parent you deserve to know your rights. The following website is written for parents who have children with disabilities. It allows you know become familiar with terminolgoy which may be used in the future. http://www.tennessee.gov/education/speced/doc/103107ATParentG2.pdf
If your child is entitled to special education services a team will be form called an IEP (Individualized Education Program) team. This team consists of several members which all play a vital role to your child's education. The team members are:
- Assistive Technology Specialist: They conduct a complete Assistive Technology assessment in order to determine the correct devices needed.
- General Education Teacher: They can provide documentation on the student's performance and also knows the grade level curriculum.
- Special Education Teacher: They lead the meeting by initiating the time. They are familiar with the types of disabilities and ways to accommodate the needs of the student.
- School Administrator: This is usually the principal whose job is to oversee all the programs within the school.
- Local Education Agency Representative: This person speaks on behalf of the school system.
- School Psychologist: Gives the needed assessments and will interpret results.
- Occupational Therapists: Gives appropriate services based on fine-motor and visual-motor skills.
- Physical Therapists: Gives appropriate services based on gross-motor skills.
- Speech and Language Pathologists: Gives appropriate services related to speech and language.
- Parents: You play an important role of this team. Parents need to be involved in their child's education and you know them better than anyone. Parents need to provide support across all environments including home and school.
An IEP meeting can be intimidating but remember everyone is here because they have the best intentions in mind for your child.