When crafting Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), there’s a belief that its main purpose is to talk about what’s wrong. Schools and parents get caught up in the deficits and “fixing” kids’ differences. The result? Poorly planned education plans that presume kids cannot succeed. Neurodivergent children deserve better. Reform is long overdue when it comes to education plans. It’s time to change what we’re doing and how at the IEP table.

On your podcast, April will challenge the conventional approach to deficit-based IEPs. She advocates reframing education plans through a strength-based approach. She’ll unpack why schools continue to rely on outdated standards and how we can shift education plans back to the consumer. It’s time to reform the language and approach when it comes to education plans in schools. Your listeners will learn how to shift their approach at the table to advocate for supports that capitalize on kids’ strengths while celebrating their differences.

When parents engage with IEP teams, the approach is often reactionary rather than proactive. Many parents are left in the dark, only invited to meetings to listen, not to collaborate. With minimal pre-meeting communication, team members aren’t always on the same page, which can result in haphazard planning. This lack of synchronization and communication leads to hurried decision-making and unmet expectations. Frustrations mount, leading to complaints from parents. In essence, a significant portion of IEP-related issues stem from poor team communication.

On your podcast, April will illuminate the “5 Keys to Productive IEPs.” She will expound on the invaluable role of parental input and the imperatives of comprehensive assessments. Your listeners will learn the importance of sharing draft reports, the magic of true team collaboration, and the art of crafting outcome-based IEPs. Throughout the conversation, the emphasis will be on the mantra: Special education is a team approach. And the IEP process, when done correctly, should reflect this ethos at every stage.

You know the drill if you’ve been to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 meetings. It’s all about the data. Teams spend hours administering and interpreting tests. What happened to grades and good old-fashioned instruction? Schools have moved towards data-driven education and kids are missing out. Great teaching is taking a back seat to the drill and kill of tests. What’s the problem and why do standardized test scores miss the mark?

On your podcast, April will delve deep into the intricacies of special education assessments. She will break down the challenges with data-driven instruction and how to craft plans that focus on the whole child. Highlighting real-world stories, the conversation will elucidate how parents and educators can look beyond testing and champion all aspects of learning. Your listeners will learn how to look between the lines of data, and return the focus of education plans back to who matters most, the child!