During the Previous IEP Goals Section of the IEP Meeting
1. Review each IEP Goals
2. identify if goal was met and the data collected
3. identify if there should be a follow up goal for this year
Best practices for this section of the IEP Meeting
9. An atmosphere of mutual respect exists
10. Participants share and contribute to a common purpose
11. Breaks are taken as needed
12. Minimize educational jargon during the meetings to enhance parents’ understanding. Try to refrain from using acronyms!
13. Be aware of your own nonverbal communication as you interact with parents (facial expressions, gestures, posture, or body position).
14. Attempt to provide positive nonverbal messages that show parents your interest and encourages their participation.
15. Make eye contact, face parents as they speak, and keep hands and arms open rather than crossed.
16. Check for parents’ understanding of key points made.
17. Watch parents’ body language for signs of confusion or disagreement.
18. Ask parents to let you know if they are confused or have questions.
19. Ask parents to make comments if they are quiet.- Ask for parents ideas directly, rather than simply telling them to feel free to contribute.
- Respect their opinions and perspectives as their own, even if they differ from yours. o Use validating statements such as “That is an interesting idea/observation” or “You really know your child well!”
21. The outcome of the meeting is restated at the end for clarity and any necessary correction
22. A written “parking lot” is established for issues to be addressed at a later date, rather than letting them
The following video models the following Best Practices used in the Review of IEP Goals
- Everyone showed mutual respect for each other
- We minimized the jargon so that everyone could understand the discussion
- We had a whiteboard for the title and had the previous IEP projected for everyone to reference
- The agenda for this part of the meeting was laid out at the beginning of the meeting
- We all made eye contact with each other while speaking
- Alex's mom was asked for feedback along the way and also asked how communication has been with the school
1. Review each IEP Goals
2. identify if goal was met and the data collected
3. identify if there should be a follow up goal for this year
Best practices for this section of the IEP Meeting
9. An atmosphere of mutual respect exists
10. Participants share and contribute to a common purpose
11. Breaks are taken as needed
12. Minimize educational jargon during the meetings to enhance parents’ understanding. Try to refrain from using acronyms!
13. Be aware of your own nonverbal communication as you interact with parents (facial expressions, gestures, posture, or body position).
14. Attempt to provide positive nonverbal messages that show parents your interest and encourages their participation.
15. Make eye contact, face parents as they speak, and keep hands and arms open rather than crossed.
16. Check for parents’ understanding of key points made.
17. Watch parents’ body language for signs of confusion or disagreement.
18. Ask parents to let you know if they are confused or have questions.
19. Ask parents to make comments if they are quiet.- Ask for parents ideas directly, rather than simply telling them to feel free to contribute.
- Respect their opinions and perspectives as their own, even if they differ from yours. o Use validating statements such as “That is an interesting idea/observation” or “You really know your child well!”
21. The outcome of the meeting is restated at the end for clarity and any necessary correction
22. A written “parking lot” is established for issues to be addressed at a later date, rather than letting them
The following video models the following Best Practices used in the Review of IEP Goals
- Everyone showed mutual respect for each other
- We minimized the jargon so that everyone could understand the discussion
- We had a whiteboard for the title and had the previous IEP projected for everyone to reference
- The agenda for this part of the meeting was laid out at the beginning of the meeting
- We all made eye contact with each other while speaking
- Alex's mom was asked for feedback along the way and also asked how communication has been with the school
VIDEO CREDITS from 2014 CSUSM Single Subject Program Cohort
Amanda Bevers: Videographer and editor
Tiffany OBrien: Special Education Teacher
Matt Mayock: Alex
Heather Andrews: Alex's mom
Marina Skendzic: English Teacher
Adam Bielma: Math Teacher
Mercedes Adams: Spanish Teacher
Amanda Bevers: Videographer and editor
Tiffany OBrien: Special Education Teacher
Matt Mayock: Alex
Heather Andrews: Alex's mom
Marina Skendzic: English Teacher
Adam Bielma: Math Teacher
Mercedes Adams: Spanish Teacher