You know that your child is working hard at school. You’ve talked to their teachers, but they continue to struggle. What can a concerned parent do? 

When a child is having difficulty at school, one of the best things a parent can do is get them an Individualized Education Plan, or “IEP.” An IEP provides a child with specific supports to help them succeed. 

This article explains what an IEP is, how to get one, and how it can help your student. It also outlines how a private therapeutic school in New York can support the needs of your child and how  these schools utilize the IEP. 

What Is an IEP?

IEPs are part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA requires that every child receive a FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education) in the least restrictive environment. Broadly speaking, it is a written document that outlines the steps a school must take to provide a FAPE for your child. 

Who Qualifies for an IEP?

The IDEA says that students can receive an IEP when two things are true. First, the student must have a qualifying disability. These include specific learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia), a speech or language issue, an intellectual disability, or other health impairment. Once the disability is established, there must be proof that the issue affects the student’s performance in the classroom. 

How Do I Get My Student an IEP?

A parent can refer their child for evaluation. Teachers can also make referrals, but parental consent is required before the evaluation can proceed. The evaluation process usually includes taking various tests. 

What’s the point of an IEP?

After your child is tested, the results go to the IEP team (you, at least one general education teacher, at least one special education teacher, a representative of the school or school district, and any necessary others). The team will then create a list of your student’s strengths and weaknesses. 

After identifying how your child’s weaknesses are affecting their performance, the IEP team will come up with measurable goals. It will also outline ways to evaluate progress toward that goal. For example, if your middle school student got a 65 in Math last quarter, the goal might be to raise this grade to 75 by the end of the year. These goals will form the basis for evaluating the ongoing success of the IEP. 

Types of Support

The IEP contains specific steps to support your child’s weaknesses. Support in an IEP might include: 

• Executive Functioning 
  • Organizational supports like checklists, color-coded folders, or binders 
  • “Chunking” (Breaking larger assignments into smaller pieces) 
  • Giving grading rubrics at the beginning, rather than the end, of a project or assignment
  • Additional time on tests and certain projects 

• Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia) 
  • Individually designed instruction
  • 1:1 instruction or assistance 
  • “Scaffolding,” or providing students with supports to guide them while they work (e.g., reading prompts)
  • Allowing students to submit work in an alternate format

• Social-Emotional and Behavioral Supports
  • In-school counseling 
  • A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that outlines how your student (and staff) will respond to emotional triggers 
  • A designated plan for your student to “cool down” to avoid an outburst or after an outburst 
• Other support 
  • Optimal seating
  • Occupational, speech, or physical therapy 
  • Assistive technologies (e.g. note-taking apps) 

IEP Timing and Frequency 

IEPs raise several timing issues. First, the IEP must outline how often supports must be provided. Some, like preferred seating, happen daily. Others must be provided at certain intervals (e.g., weekly, once per quarter) or under certain circumstances (e.g., standardized testing days.)

Second, IEPs must be reviewed regularly. At least once every year, the IEP team must gather to make sure that the plan is still working. However, parents can request a review at any time. 

Is an IEP the Same as a 504 Plan?

No. First, they arise under different laws. IEPs fall under the IDEA, while 504s are controlled by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Also, 504s apply to any student who has an issue that affects their life activities, in this case, their education. This standard is broader than the IEP rule. 

Finally, and most importantly, the effects are different. Students with 504 Plans may receive accommodations to put them on the same level field as their peers. However, unlike an IEP, there is no requirement that the educational process be tailored to the student. For example, a student with poor vision may have a 504 Plan requiring preferential seating, but the seating change will not affect the teacher’s classroom plan or approach to that student. However, if a student had poor vision and dyslexia, in addition to preferential seating, the teacher would also have to change assignments to address the student’s dyslexia. 

How Do Therapeutic Schools Support IEPs? 

One of the most challenging parts of the IEP process for parents is ensuring that the IEP is actually followed. Nearly 40 percent of parents reported feeling that their child’s school wasn’t strictly following the requirements of the IEP. Unfortunately, because public schools in NYC typically have 24 students in each class, it can be difficult for teachers to monitor matters closely. 

Therapeutic schools, on the other hand, are designed to provide individualized instruction. These schools have smaller class sizes, some with a 5:1 or 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. These numbers allow teachers in therapeutic schools to provide individualized instruction and attention.  Private therapeutic schools do not adhere to the IEP but use it as one of the many data points to provide a school program designed around your child.  For manyu families, they find private therapeutic schools a better option because they can do what is based on the evidence rather than the IEP, which can sometimes feel “cookie cutter.”

Therapeutic schools incorporate time for individualized instruction into their daily lesson plans. Moreover, they have staff members who are trained to provide mental health services and other non-academic supports that might be listed in an IEP. 

Need Help with Your Child’s IEP Supports? Try a Therapeutic School 

An IEP is a powerful framework to understand some of your child’s needs to be successful at school. However, there are times when a student requires a school that is built to support their needs and can go beyond what an IEP specifies, especially as needs change as the year progresses. If your child’s school is struggling to implement their IEP, a therapeutic school might be a good option. These schools – especially their small class sizes, specially trained staff, and overall approach to learning – give therapeutic schools an advantage in providing the type of individualized instruction that students who have an IEP require.

If you live in New York City and are looking for a therapeutic school for your child, consider Academics West. Our staff is trained to understand the elements of your child’s IEP and help them achieve their true potential within our milieu. Watch our virtual tour. Then call 212-580-0080 or use our booking tool to schedule an in-person visit.