The IEP Has to Actually Work
In this video, Dr. Justin Baeder argues that when an IEP isn't producing results, the team must reconvene and revise it rather than tolerating failure.
Key Takeaways
- A failing IEP is not a permanent plan - If it's not working, the team has an obligation to meet and make changes
- Tolerating failure helps no one - Continuing a failed plan harms the student it's designed to help
- Revise, don't abandon - The solution is a better IEP, not eliminating expectations
Transcript
So apparently a lot of teachers are being told because this student has an IEP, there's nothing that can be done if they are exhibiting repeated violent behaviors in the classroom.
You just have to kind of deal with it because they have an IEP that kind of allows them to do that.
We can't suspend them.
We can't move them to a more appropriate placement or anything like that.
And that's just not true.
Students do have protections if they have IEPs, and I think that's a good thing.
I'm in favor of those protections that say if a student is not getting what they need educationally, you can't just discipline them to get off the hook.
So I think that part of it is true and is a good thing, but we always have the option of moving a student to a more appropriate placement, including one that might be more restrictive, but necessarily so.
It's not the case that every student has to spend all day in the gen ed classroom.
That's an IEP team decision, and you are part of the IEP team if you are the teacher.
So I think we've got to start pushing back against this claim that, well, nothing can be done.
We just have to kind of roll with it and tolerate whatever behaviors occur.
You know, if repeated incidents of violence are occurring, the IEP is not working, right?
The classroom placement, something is not working.
And I don't think it's fair to just take the blame for that yourself.
I don't think it's fair to allow fingers to be pointed at you if you are following the IEP And these things are still happening.
Well, clearly, it is not working.
And that justifies an IEP team meeting.
It justifies a serious discussion of whether this is the right placement.
So my takeaway is don't let people tell you that, oh, the law means you have to deal with violence.
You have to just accept violence.
You can't do anything about it.
I think it really is worth convening the IEP team.
And it is really worth setting some boundaries for yourself and saying, I'm willing to try anything to help a student succeed, but I'm not willing to beat my head against the wall day after day and try the same things that are not working just because they're in the IEP.
We need this to work for the student as well as all the other students in the class.
Let me know what you think.