Think creatively to ensure participation
To ensure participation of a general education teacher in the IEP process, IEP meetings must be scheduled at a time when the all team members can attend. In the case of early childhood educators, this may have to occur after classroom hours to minimize time away from instruction. Another alternative is to provide for a substitute to cover the preschool classroom. Interagency agreements among preschool providers can be used to outline responsibilities and reimbursement for staff time when teachers outside a program are used to fulfill the general education teacher requirements. The location of the IEP meeting needs to be easily accessible for all team members. IEP team members should work together to find creative logistical solution so all can attend.
Nancy Blakeman, Preschool Integrated Program-Stockton Unified School District
A good working relationship can make it easier to find creative solutions for covering time necessary for IEPs such as trading or reciprocating teacher and staff services. Head Start might pay for the teacher time at the IEP meeting while special education staff can provide useful in-services to regular education preschool staff and families, speak at workshops and other community trainings, participate in student study teams, and provide other types of in-kind services. By rotating the teachers that participate in IEP development, no one teacher carries the load and all teachers learn from the experience.Sharon Holstedge, Sacramento County Office of Education
We value and support the inclusion of an ECE teacher at all preschool IEP meetings. Head Start is very good at providing the typical preschool voice during the IEP process. Scheduling and giving plenty of notice are key ingredients to successfully including everybody.
