An individualized education program is a contract between parents enrolling their children at school and the school. It outlines the ways that children with special needs can receive support from the school and creates an obligation to meet those needs.
IEPs help make public school attendance accessible for children with special needs, but schools don’t always fulfill their obligations to students with special needs in good faith. Many times, families have to push for appropriate support and compliance.
What are some of the ways that schools fail to meet their obligations to students with special needs?
1. Rushing through IEP creation
The goal of an IEP is the establishment of a program that addresses the unique needs of a specific student. If educational professionals do not spend adequate time evaluating the students, then the IEP may not adequately support the student with special needs.
2. Ignoring key accommodations
The teachers and other professionals directly interacting with students do not always conform to IEP standards. It is relatively common for professionals to ignore the different forms of support outlined in an IEP and treat a student like every other person in the class.
3. Failing to expand or update the IEP
Once an IEP is in place, it sometimes becomes obvious that it does not truly meet the needs of a student. In such scenarios, revising the IEP promptly can make a major difference. Many educational institutions fail to acknowledge the shortcomings of IEPs and may not take appropriate action without prompting from parents.
Recognizing that obtaining an IEP does not necessarily mean a student receives the proper support can help parents. If schools do not fulfill their obligations, legal action may sometimes be necessary to ensure that a student receives appropriate support.