The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is switching the platform for viewing the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for children in special education. It is unclear how this change will impact those students, their parents and teachers. “It’s too early to tell what this means for parents, but I anticipate problems,” said education attorney Tom Blessing. “Usually when there’s a change like this, it creates confusion, frustration and headaches.” According to Blessing, one of the “glitches” might be IEPs falling through the cracks, which could result in children not getting the services and accommodations which they are supposed to receive at school. Blessing suggests that, as a precaution, parents of students in special education should send their child’s teacher a copy of his current IEP and request confirmation that it’s been received. “Parents should have gotten an electronic copy after their child’s last case conference. Better yet, they’ve saved a paper copy as backup. Send it to the school team now to make sure they have it.” Blessing reminds parents that they can also request an IEP meeting (case conference) at any time. “Just to make sure everyone is on the same page, it’s a good idea to request a case conference now instead of waiting until getting your child’s report card, progress report, annual case review (ACR) or whenever the next one is scheduled.”
