Assessments, PE, Progress Reporting, and IEP Prep Tips

Education Advocate Lisa Carey answered questions about assessments, PE, progress reporting, and IEP prep:

Q: Do we need an assessment every time we need an IEE?

A: To get an IEE, you have to disagree with the school district’s assessment. The district should send all the information you need to get the IEE. Note that IEEs might look different because you pay someone outside of the district to do the assessment. The district will provide a list of contractors you can choose from.

Q: What does P.E. look like in an IEP?

A: Adaptive Physical Education (APE) is for kids who struggle with PE activities (either physically or behaviorally). There will be a goal attached to the service needed or the particular area of struggle. There will also be a progress report on all goals; most schools do this four times per year, though it can vary with each district. If there is no goal, talk to your child’s teacher. For kids in elementary school, PE is more active play. In middle and high school, PE is more of a structured class that can be challenging for some kids.

Q: How do you track your child’s progress when you can’t be there?

A: There’s no way around having a certain level of trust with the school. They will send a progress report; depending on the school/district, some give a lot more info than others. Review it and ask questions about your child’s progress report. Don't worry too much as long as your child seems to be moving towards their goals, as you can get more details from the annual IEP. For more information, see progress reporting for IEPs

Q: What are the most important things to know during IEP prep?

A:

• Request assessments in advance. You can’t be an equal and involved member of the team if you are reading the assessment for the first time in the meeting. If they don’t give it to you beforehand, get the assessment at the meeting, reschedule the meeting, and walk out. Some districts provide a draft of the IEP; it is your right to get the assessment and the draft IEP beforehand. You can ask for them in writing when you sign the IEP notice.
• Make copies of the assessments and draft IEP.
• Review all assessments beforehand and put assessment questions next to each relevant section.
• Review the previous IEP and any communications with your child’s teachers so you know what goals your child had, whether your child has met those goals, and how you want next year to go.
• Plan to record the meeting and let the school know at least 24 hours in advance.
• If you can, bring an advocate.

For more tips, see The Ultimate Checklist for IEP Prep.