Curriculum in the IEP? Yes!
Chaos erupted on my Instagram when I asked if teachers and parents list curriculum in IEPs. 75% said no, fearing issues if a student moves districts or the curriculum stops working. But I'm here to set the record straight!
Listing curriculum (in areas like present levels, not goals) provides crucial context on what worked before. It doesn't lock you in - we can make adjustments as needed. And if you're unfamiliar with the listed curriculum? The IEP can include training support!
In this episode, I dish on the heated DM exchanges, tackle common objections, and remind us all that transparency and collaboration are key. After all, we're on the same team working hard for to build ah-mazing IEPs.
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Summary
Whew, let me tell you, my Instagram DMs have been an absolute madhouse lately! It feels like a chaotic IEP meeting where nobody's listening to each other, there's tension in the air, and you just want it to be over already. But hey, that's what makes for a juicy story, right?
So, what's got everyone all riled up, you ask? Well, earlier this week, I innocently asked a question on Instagram: "Do you put specific curriculum listed inside the IEP, or have you been told no?" Little did I know, this simple query would unleash a firestorm of opinions from parents and teachers.
Now, let me break it down for you. Around 75% of the responses said they don't list curriculum in the IEP, mostly because they've been told they can't. The most common reason? "We can't list specific curriculum because if the child moves, the new district may not have that curriculum." Uh, hello? We make adjustments all the time for kids who move! Plus, we can (almost) always make addendums to the IEP without even having a full-blown meeting. Simple, right?
The next reason I kept hearing was, "What if the curriculum doesn't work for the child anymore? We can't put it in the IEP because then we're bound to use it, and we'll be out of compliance!" Again, we can make changes to the IEP if needed. It's not set in stone, promise!
But wait, it gets even more heated. Some teachers thought I meant listing the actual curriculum in the IEP goals and objectives themselves. Whoa, hold up! That's not what I asked at all. The goals are meant to prepare a child for further education, employment, and independent living – not to be tied to a specific curriculum.
Listing the curriculum in other sections of the IEP, like the notes, resources, or present levels is HUGELY beneficial for everyone. Especially in the present levels section, it's crucial to know the tools and curriculum used to get the child to their current skill level. If I'm a new teacher or the child moves districts, I need to understand what was successful before so I can build on that foundation.
And if you're a teacher and you're thinking - "If I'm required to use a curriculum I don't know how to use, I'm going to crumble. I've already got so much to do!" Please listen to the full episode so you know what you need to do if this happens to you!
At the end of the day, we're all on the same team here, working hard to support our children in getting ah-mazing results from their IEP. Listing the curriculum in the IEP isn't about tying anyone's hands – it's about sharing information and building on what's already working. A little transparency and collaboration can go a long way!
If you've got thoughts or opinions of your own, come find me on IG! I'm always up for a lively discussion. And if you're ready to take your IEP leadership skills to the next level, don't forget to check out the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship program. Enrollment is open, and I'd love to have you on board!
