Page 16 - The Individual Education Plan (IEP) - A Resource Guide, 2004

Consultation with the student
Principals are legally required to ensure that all students who are 16 years of age or older are consulted in the development of the IEP. However, any stu- dent for whom an IEP is being developed should be consulted to the degree possible. In the information-gathering phase, students should be encouraged to share their perceptions of their learning strengths and needs, talents, and interests. This information may be gathered through interviews, discussions, and interest inventories.
Consultation with previous teachers
Previous teachers can provide information about a student’s areas of strength and need and about programs, services, resources, and strategies that have worked well in the past.
Consultation with other professionals
The following people may be consulted, as necessary and appropriate, to provide information that is relevant to the student’s educational programming:
• school administrators
• counsellors
• speech-language pathologists
• teacher’s assistants
• resource teachers
• educational consultants
• occupational therapists
• physiotherapists
• other medical professionals
• child and youth workers
• social workers
• psychologists and psycho-educational consultants
• Provincial School or Demonstration School personnel
• service providers from appropriate community agencies
Gather Information Through Observation of the Student
Members of the IEP team who work directly with the student can supplement the information gathered from written sources and through consultation with others with information obtained through direct observation. By observing the student, teachers may learn how the student:
• responds to text in print and in alternative formats (e.g., large print, audiotape, Braille);
• approaches new tasks and persists with tasks;
• interacts with others;
• organizes his or her activities, time, and materials;
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The Individual Education Plan (IEP): A Resource Guide