Cook’s Corner: Maximizing Student Outcomes Through Participation in IEP and 504 Meetings

Oct 13, 2023 | Classroom Management, Fall 23, Maine Educator Online, News, Professional Development

By Mallory Cook and Anna Anthony

Because we attend so many IEP and 504 meetings a year, it is easy to forget just how important these gatherings are to students’ academic success. Remember, most teams only meet once per year to discuss a student’s plan-a plan that will follow a student for his/her academic career. Your preparation, participation, and follow-through are incredibly important to the child.

BEFORE THE MEETING

  • Review the student’s IEP or 504
  • Reflect on the impact of the accommodations
  • Are they working?
  • Is the student using them?
  • What’s missing?
  • List the student’s strengths
  • If you’ve identified challenges, be sure to come prepared with interventions you’ve implemented and their impact on the student
  • Prepare relevant student work samples or data to support your claims
  • Record the student’s current grade or progress toward relevant standards
  • If you’ve determined the need to modify existing accommodations or to add new accommodations, have a list prepared

DURING THE MEETING

  • Report out on the student’s strengths first
  • Share the impact of the present accommodations as related to classwork, achievement on assessments, behavior, etc.
  • Share challenges and interventions that have been implemented
  • Share any relevant data
  • Propose new accommodations or modifications to existing accommodations
  • Ask questions of the parents, the special education professionals, the student, and other teachers in the room
  • Avoid negativity – realize that though a student may appear disengaged, this could be a manifestation of the disability. Before going there, think, “What measures have I taken to ensure the student’s needs have been met?”
  • End on a positive note

AFTER THE MEETING

  • Implement any new accommodations that were brought up in the meeting
  • Expect to find an updated document listing any changes
  • File the new document and discard the old one
  • Continue to monitor the student’s progress
  • Contact the case manager or parents/guardians with any concerns or strengths that emerge after the team’s convening

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MEA Winter Conference “Winter EdVenture”

December 2

King Middle School – Portland

Join us at “Winter EdVenture,” an enriching conference designed exclusively for MEA members! Delve into a wide range of sessions that promise to enhance your professional journey. From “Mentoring for Retention” to “Leaders for Just Schools,” we’re covering the essential topics you need to excel in your role.

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