Rochelle’s Special Education Tips
Do Not Include the Kitchen Sink in the IEP
Only Write What is Necessary
When you summarize the student’s Present Levels in the IEP, concentrate on the word “present.” Not “last year’s” or the “year before.” Eliminate old Present Levels. They do nothing but cause confusion for the readers of the IEP.
When you list standardized scores in the IEP, state what they mean (i.e., Average, Below Average). Otherwise, they have no meaning to most parents.
Do not put side comments in the IEP, such as “he is a hard working student and a pleasure to teach” or “have a nice summer.”
When you add new Parental Comments, eliminate the prior Comments. The Parental Comments section is not supposed to be a journal or the parents’ stream of consciousness from the last several years.
Next Tips: “Beware of the Overweight IEP.”
Rochelle’s Special Education Tips (“Tips”) are designed to be helpful and thought provoking, but should not be considered legal advice as they may not be accurate for use in all situations. Tips are based on my opinions and positions in accordance with federal and Maryland law and my over 35 years of experience in the special education legal field. – Rochelle S. Eisenberg, Esquire
Copyright © 2018 Pessin Katz Law, P.A. All rights reserved.Tips may be reproduced for distribution within the educational institution, the individual school or school system and is for use by their staff. Additional distribution must be approved by author.
If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, please e-mail Rochelle S. Eisenberg at reisenberg@pklaw.com, put “unsubscribe” in the subject line and your name will be removed.
10500 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 650
Columbia, MD 21044
410-938-8800
information@pklaw.com
www.pklaw.com
