Arizona IEP Progress Monitoring Basics

What are the basic components of progress monitoring in a student’s IEP in Arizona? As I’ve discussed in my other blogs, I’ve explained what an IEP is, its components, and the parts of it. And one of those parts is monitoring or progress monitoring. 

Goal Setting Process

In an IEP, students will have a goal that the educators and the team would like the student to be achieving. Those are objective, big, and sometimes long-term goals. With all that said, part of the IEP is monitoring the student. And if they’re achieving or progressing toward those goals. The IEP document itself will detail the progress monitoring.

Student’s Assessment Details

It will specify when the school evaluates the student. It might be weekly, monthly, or quarterly. It all just depends on the actual goal itself. Then it will be very detailed about how they’re testing your student. Are these like reading comprehension assessments? Is this observation by a teacher? How long is it taking the students before they become distracted? It depends on their actual goals, but as I said, progress monitoring will be detailed and individualized for that student.

Specific Goal Setting

One thing you want to keep an eye on and make sure of is that the IEP has objective measures for that specific goal. So, if progress monitoring says something like teacher observations, that are parent observations, that’s not going to cut it. You want something objective, and you’ll want to be provided with those progress monitoring reports.

Progress-Level Monitoring Reports

Sometimes that looks like a graph, or the data is taken and interpreted in a certain way. But again, it should be objective. You should be able to measure it. This might be some reading comprehension. It could be times that the student becomes distracted. Or it could be physical or therapy.

The list is endless, but the important part is that it can be objective measures that one can quantify so that you can see it, and the school can provide it with a report.

Graded Assessment

I would also steer away from grades. Grades are an overall view of someone’s academic progress. But if there’s a specific goal that your student is supposed to be achieving, grades will not be a great progress monitor of their individualized goals.

Arizona Individual Education Program: How Arizona IEP Attorney Can Help

Statistics in 2016 showed that more than 53,000 students in Arizona had specific learning disabilities. Such students must be subjected to the Individualized Education Program (IEP). 

This form of special education has been designed to assist Arizona students with various learning disabilities. It’s also essential to communicate that this program has been prevalent in the country for many years.

If you believe that your child needs special education, it’s essential to consider taking them to an Individualized Education Program. However, for this system to work for your child, they must meet a few fundamental requirements. Understanding some unique factors behind IEP will enable you to seamlessly seek this program for your child.

What are Team-Based Early Intervention Services in Arizona?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that helps to ensure that all children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate education. The law also requires states to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays. In Arizona, these services are called Team-Based Early Intervention Services (TB EIS).

TB EIS is a statewide system of services and supports designed to meet the needs of infants and toddlers with developmental delays. The system is based on the belief that all children have the right to participate in meaningful activities in their homes, communities, and schools.

Is AZ IEP Free?

You might have a perception that education is expensive. However, the good news is that IEP is a free program in Arizona. The federal and state government have put in place adequate measures to ensure that all children with disabilities can access this form of education at no cost. However, the program is not entirely free. Families must still pay for some costs associated with IEP, such as travel expenses, books, and other materials.

How Do I Get an IEP For My Child in Arizona?

As a parent or guardian, you can request an IEP evaluation for your child if you think they might need special education services. You can make this request to the school district in which your child attends school. The school district must evaluate whether your child is eligible for special education services.

If the school district determines that your child is eligible for special education services, they will develop an IEP for your child. The IEP is a document that outlines the special education services that your child will receive.

What Are the Components of An IEP In Arizona?

The components of an IEP vary from state to state. However, in general, an IEP must include the following:

• A statement of the child’s present level of educational performance
• A description of the child’s special education and related services
• Annual goals for the child’s educational progress
• A description of how they will measure the child’s progress
• The date by which the IEP will be reviewed and revised, if necessary

It’s essential to understand that an IEP is a living document that people can revise. As your child’s needs change, you can modify the IEP to address those changes.

What Is the Difference Between A 504 Plan and IEP In Arizona?

You might wonder whether your child needs an IEP or a 504 plan.

IEPs and 504 plans help children with disabilities succeed in school. However, there are some critical differences between the two. IEPs are individualized education programs created for students who need special education services. IEPs must be reviewed and updated at least once per year.

504 plans are for students who do not need special education services but still need accommodations to help them succeed in school. For example, a student with a 504 plan might need extra time to take tests or have a quiet place to work. 504 plans do not need to be reviewed as often as IEPs.

What Is the Arizona IEP Timeline?

As a parent with a child in the Arizona IEP process, it’s essential to understand the timeline for each process step. This timeline can vary depending on your child’s individual needs and the school district in which you live.

However, in general, the Arizona IEP timeline looks like this:

• The parent requests an IEP evaluation from the school district
• The School district evaluates the child to determine if they are eligible for special education services
• If the child is eligible for special education services, the school district develops an IEP
• The IEP is reviewed and revised as necessary at least once per year

When Must an IEP Meeting be Convened?

Understand that the team must convene an IEP meeting within 30 days of the child’s eligibility determination. The IEP team will meet to discuss the child’s needs and create an individualized education program. If the team did not meet the time frame for the IEP meeting, you, as the parent, have the right to request a due process hearing.

What Should You Not Say at An Arizona IEP Meeting?

It’s natural for parents to want to advocate for their child at an IEP meeting. However, there are some things that you should avoid saying during an IEP meeting. These things can jeopardize your child’s chances of getting the necessary services.

Some of the things you should avoid saying at an IEP meeting are:

• Making demands
• Threatening legal action
• Saying that you don’t trust the IEP team
• Speaking in a negative tone

It’s also important to remember that an IEP meeting is not a place for you to vent your frustrations. Instead, it’s a place for you to collaborate with the IEP team to create a plan to help your child succeed.

Arizona IEP Evaluation Concerns

You must know the evaluation concerns to have a successful Arizona IEP. It will help you ensure that your child gets the services they need to succeed in school. You must ensure that the evaluation team has the necessary information about your child to determine their needs accurately.

It would help if you also ensure that the evaluation team uses a valid and reliable assessment tool. This assessment tool should be able to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Finally, you need to ensure that the evaluation team makes recommendations for services based on your child’s individual needs.

How Long Does a School Have to Respond to an Evaluation Request in Arizona?

Traditionally, schools have up to 45 days to respond to an evaluation request. However, due to the pandemic, this timeline has been extended to 60 days. You must keep track of the timeline by counting days, including weekends and holidays.

The clock starts ticking the day after you submit your evaluation request to the school. If the school does not respond to your evaluation request within the 60-day timeline, you have the right to file a due process complaint.

Do You Need an Arizona IEP Attorney?

Understanding the Arizona IEP process can be complicated. If you’re concerned about your child’s education, you may want to consider hiring an IEP attorney. An IEP attorney can help you navigate the IEP process and ensure that your child’s rights are protected.

At Chelle Law, we understand parents’ challenges when advocating for their child’s education. We can help you understand your rights and options under the law. We will work with you to create an individualized education plan that meets your child’s unique needs.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.