Start with asking your child and/or any direct support staff if the accommodations in the IEP are being implemented. Then, email your child’s teachers and ask specific questions about how they are approaching some of the accommodations. For example: “Since my child can’t take their own notes, how are they accessing the lesson?”
Is your child utilizing equipment, devices, and/or assistive technology identified in their IEP?
Whether your child is bringing home classwork or completing it online, review it. You can also ask their teachers for some classwork samples. If your child has accommodations that can be seen in work, are they being offered? For example, is the font size what’s stipulated in the IEP? Are there prompt levels written on the back? Is your child writing on paper with raised lines? Is the word problem modified and broken down to an appropriate developmental level?
If someone is modifying work for teachers and your child, can you see samples, and is that happening every day?
Are they getting the educational and/or social minutes with their same-aged peers that’s outlined in their IEP?
If they are in a special day class for the majority of the day, where do they sit when they go into a general education classroom? Do they have their own desk? Are they interacting with other kids or just other adults, like aides? Are kids with IEPs truly included in the same activities at the same time in the same place with general education students?
Are all class activities accessible and inclusive? This includes group work, independent work time, presentations, performances, asking/answering questions, and student responsibilities.
Is your child able to relay their knowledge in an accessible way for THEM, or are they expected to do things the same way as everyone else?
If your child has extended school year (ESY) written into their IEP, will this also be an inclusive setting?
Does your child eat lunch, go on field trips, and have PE with same-aged peers?
Do they have opportunities to socialize with all kids?
If they require facilitation in socializing or communicating, who is supporting that?
Does your child have access to inclusive extracurricular activities such as sports teams, theater, etc. with same-aged peers?
If they have an environmental or 1:1 aide, are they present at times outlined in the IEP? Is it the same person or different? Will the school notify you if that person changes?
If your child is supposed to check in with a counselor, what day and time is that scheduled for?
If they need bathroom assistance, who is providing that support and how can you check in with them?
If they have to take medication at school, is that happening?
Are they getting the service minutes they’re supposed to be getting each week and/or month?
Has the entire team been trained on equipment, accommodations, and/or medical protocols? If there’s a health plan, is that posted in each classroom setting your child is in?
Were you invited to that team training? Remember, you’re also a team member who can receive training!
Are all team members prepared for any safety issues that can come from challenges in mobility, vision, hearing, cognition, or medical conditions?
Does the team need a check-in with everyone present to talk about what’s working and what isn’t?
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