Writing IEPS to

Ensure Access to

Kansas State Standards

Presentation

Why Link IEPS To The State Standards?

What Parents & Educators Need to Know

With the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ‘04 the link between the No Child Left Behind act and IDEA was strengthened holding local school districts accountable for all students.  As part of this accountability many school districts have already begun to link IEPs to the state standards.

It is important to remember that while  a large number of Kansas students receive special education services, ALL students are general education students.  What should my child be learning?

Special Education is specially designed instruction designed to meet the unique needs of students who 1) have a disability and 2) need special education services. By adding individualized specially designed instruction to the general education curriculum a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team is able to develop an IEP which meets the unique needs of the student.

Linking IEPs to State Standards means All students Count!

Linking IEPS to State Standards a Team Effort 

A key component to helping each individual child to reach high standards is to know the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) strategic goal; “all students will meet or exceed state standards.”

Why is it important for parents to understand this strategic goal?  According to this strategic goal, KSDE has set high standards for all Kansas students.  By having a basic knowledge of the Kansas State standards, parents have a better understanding of the expectations for all students.  With this knowledge parents and the rest of the IEP team must ensure that the child has the appropriate supports, services and specially designed instruction necessary to progress towards their individual goals and meet and/or exceed  the state standards.

Families Together in collaboration with KSDE’s Student Support Services provides individual parent assistance and trainings statewide to help parents and educators understand the importance of linking IEPs to the state standards.

All team members must understand this linkage, elements of the IEP, and that all students are general education students.  Linking IEPs to the state standards means all students count.

Contact the Families Together Center near you for more information!