IEP

I know that IEP stands for an individual education plan but I was interested on how one was obtained and what that meant exactly. As I researched an IEP I came upon a detailed manual that was put together. I found out that a student is referred to an evaluation team to see if they need an IEP. Within ten days a team made up of qualified personnel by the state review the referral. If the referral is denied the parent can try to change that or they are referred to a TST or 504 process. If the referral is accepted they decide they type of evaluations to perform and get parents consent. Then they request to evaluate within 15 days. Then after 45 days the evaluation is completed and a report is written. If the parent does not agree prior to this a 504 is suggested. Then after 15 days an IEP meeting is scheduled. They share the evaluation report with the IEP team and a notice is sent to the parents. Then a meeting is held to create IEP. Each IEP lasts 12 months and then is re-evaluated. An IEP is very helpful for students who need them in order to learn effectively. 

Art In The Classroom

Art is a way for many people to express themselves. This is a perfect outlet for a student who is not as strong academically. I think art is important in the learning process. I almost upsets me to think how some schools are trying to cut back on the arts. When I was in the younger grades I was always deeply involved in the arts and to see them be taken away is awful. Art allows students to grow as a person and as a learner. Today it is harder, as a teacher, to choose what is taught and how in class. I was speaking to a teacher in a second grade class and the principal has taken complete control of her school and will not allow anything out of his guidelines. He recently brought up the idea of eliminating history and science out of the curriculum until third grade. It is amazing how strict schools are getting. I think art is important for students because they do not realize they are learning. if it is incorporated in an accurate way, it can teach students more than learning from a book.