The service section is the next portion of the IEP when using the IEP Connection Worksheet to ensure alignment across all areas of the IEP.
Services are directly related to the time and instruction needed to support the goals.
Connection starts with the needs identified in the PLAAFP, then the goals, and now the services. There must be a service for each corresponding goal. Make sure you do not fall into the “starter IEP” trap where every student receives thirty minutes of service time for each area.
Start with the goal and work with the team to determine how much specially designed instruction is truly needed to reach the goal. For example, a student most likely does not need thirty minutes a day of reading fluency. If the actual instructional time is fifteen minutes, then write that.
Consider how you structure the goal time and your classroom. Transition times can add up quickly, think about how you can limit those so the focus stays on instructional time. Instructional rotations are an effective way to limit transitions (back and forth for class) and maximize time on task while addressing the individual needs of multiple students.
Keep in mind the location of services, too, as you complete this section. Can the services be provided in the general education setting? The goal for all services should start with providing those services in the general education classroom. Services provided away from non-disabled peers will impact the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), and, studies show, negatively impact student achievement. Every time you pull a student out of their classroom he/she is missing content instruction. This puts your student at greater risk of falling further behind. Ask yourself, “Does this instruction have to be provided only by me and in my classroom?” There are many barriers to providing specially designed instruction in the LRE. Staffing and scheduling are the top two. Remember to keep the student at the center of all decisions, and if providing instruction in the general education setting is best, then it is time to get creative with staff and scheduling. See this blog post on co-teaching for ideas.
Less is when it comes to specially-designed instruction services. That may sound counterintuitive to our work. Collaboration with our general education colleagues allows us to support our students in the LRE. Much of our work can be done in conjunction and support within the general education classroom.
Effective IEP Meetings Part 4: Services
The service section is the next portion of the IEP when using the IEP Connection Worksheet to ensure alignment across all areas of the IEP.
By Trish Geraghty
Trish Geraghty
Trish Geraghty, an accomplished educational leader with 20+ years of experience, excels in curriculum development, instructional design, and professional development. Her proven track record includes successful support for schools, districts, educators, and students. Committed to ensuring universal access to high-quality learning, Trish is a visionary advocate for inclusive education. Her innovative approach to curriculum development reflects a keen understanding of evolving standards. Trish's transformative influence extends beyond traditional boundaries, actively contributing to the broader advancement of education. A catalyst for positive change, she inspires excellence in others, shaping the future of education through unwavering commitment and visionary leadership.
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