Refer to Claxton's IEP text and a Journal Article on IEPs (this journal can be used for your JA Review) and
explain two pros and one potential con of a student's Individualized Education Plan. Include your own
experience with these (have you written one, been a part of an IEP meeting, read one, never have seen
one, etc.), and explain what you foresee your role to be in the future with IEPs.
Respond to another's post in which you were able to glean insight or were able to provide
information/strategies/tips in this IEP process.
Remember to include at least 400 words in the original thread with an in-text citation (from the
workbook and/or journal article) and at least 250 words in the response post with an in-text citation
(from the workbook and/or journal article). Include a Reference section that includes the scholarly
source that was cited.
Individualized Education Programs are plans and strategies developed for special needs
children who needs exceptional support and accommodations to help with their academic
progress and achievement. The IEP is created by an IEP team with the intentions to help
children reach educational goals more efficiently and are frequently reviewed. The IEP team
consists of the parents, the teachers, the counselors, the public service representative, and the
student. The IEP process initially includes the referral, the evaluation, and eligibility approval.
The next steps to the process include the meetings, the services, the follow up and reevaluation.
Each step is very imperative to improving student’s behavior and academic success.
Some IEP’s can be very beneficial to a student. On the other hand, there are some IEP’s that are
poorly written and are very ineffective for a student. Some pros of IEP’s can be that it provides a
free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all kids regardless of disability at public
expense. An additional positive aspect of IEP’s is that is provides protection for the child and
parent. According to Kemp, “Because of IDEA, there are procedural safeguards in place to make
certain that your child is receiving the services the school says they will provide and a protocol
to follow if you believe they are not. Additionally, these protections allow for parent
Reference
Kemp, J. (2017, January 21). 5 Pros and Cons of IDEA: What Every Parent (and educator!)
Should Know. Retrieved from https://runningthroughwater.com/2016/04/12/day-9-i-is-
for-ieps-idea-inclusion/
participation and child participation as an equal member of the child’s school team” (Kemp
2016). These two pros are very vital and can be helpful for student’s academic success.
Contrarily, one possible con of IEP’s is documentation. You may have teachers that are very
overworked and fail to complete the proper paperwork and documentation. If the proper paper
work isn’t written and the proper follow ups and assessments aren’t conducted, then the student
isn’t being correctly served.
As I pursue a career in school counseling, I believe my role in the IEP process will be
expanded. As a school counselor, you must complete several assessments to evaluate the
student. Also, the school counselor will provide opinions and recommendations regarding
assistance for your child based on the results of the assessments.
