Keeping Pace
with General Education (SE Update)
November 16, 2016
Thanks for the Feedback!
Alphabet Soup
MET
Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team
Initially, and every three years, we must determine a student is eligible to receive special education services. This review is summarized in a document that includes specific questions for criteria from the state. If you are asked to sign the MET for eligibility you have provided input, such as classroom observations or discussion at the meeting, to help determine educational impact. Once this re-evaluation determines eligibility, we move on to the IEP.
IEP
Individualized Education Plan
The focus of this plan is to individualize the educational plan for this student to allow full access the general education curriculum. As the general education teacher, you are 'the keeper of the guard' regarding where we are headed with a student. This makes your input critical in determining what plan will allow the student to fully participate and progress in their education.
Tip of the Week
So often, as we work with students who are experiencing difficulties, we time-focus on the layers of struggle - the pieces that just didn't fit together. This proves an effective tactic in error analysis of judgment or academic efforts, but pulls our focus to the weakness. Perhaps one of the greatest design elements of our IEP document is the immediate focus on the student strengths - literally the first topic we discuss! Consideration for this one component can shift the perspective, and spin the teacher creativity wheel toward supports and solutions for struggling students. When you find yourself muddling over slow or minimal progress for a student, ask yourself one question: What is going right? It may just be the catalyst for changing the perspective for you and your student. Enjoy another day of doing great things for kids!