IEP goals can be the best way to organize and list out what attributes are to be enhanced in the special child. Along with this list, parents make a record of multiple other documents to address the IEP process and meetings effortlessly. To fasten all of these in a reliable file, an IEP binder is used.
In this post, we will dig deeper and talk about the IEP Binder; With this idea, you can understand the importance of it and also list out a set of questions to make a checklist for an ideal binder.
What is an IEP binder?- Comprehending its components
An IEP binder is a formal ring file that is used by parents to document all IEP-related documents in one place. Here are commonly ensured sections of an IEP binder:
- Communication details and updates: This section opens the binders, starting with the contact details of the school, staff, and service providers. This information makes the accessibility of contacts easier. The latter part contains communication updates that came from school. These may be in the form of letters or printouts of important emails.
- Evaluations: As the name depicts, this section encompasses all the documents related to the evaluation process. Starting from requests for evaluation, this section covers documents like request letters, approvals, reports of past evaluations, and conclusions.
- IEP Goals and Rights: This section encompasses the list of the Child’s IEP goals, the process of availing the rights of parents, and recent IEP notices if any.
- Progress notes: This section is a detailed record of the child’s progress. These may have progress/report cards, a list of past instructor feedback, and recent achievements of the student.
- Behavior section: While the above sections are inclined towards academic development, this section is focused on the behavior of the child. It may contain a behavioral intervention plan, goals and rights, and a record of recent Implementation.
The contents of these sections get changed with every meeting or update. Also, apart from these basic sections, parents can also add other documents like sample work and other relevant documents if needed.
IEP binder checklist
To make sure a binder is appropriate, all the above attributes need to be ensured. Look into the following checklist to make regular checks of your binder:
1. Basic Checklist
- Is the binder big enough to encompass large documents?
- Is the binder having 3 rings?
- Are the sections properly marked by dividers?
- Is the binder acquainted with tools like a pen and highlighter?
- Are all the sections properly arranged?
2. Communication Section Checklist
- Is the list of contacts up to date? Are the contact details of new members added?
- Are the recent and important communication pieces documented?
- Are the printouts of emails and messages properly organized chronologically?
3. Evaluation Section Checklist
- Is the recent evaluation taking place less than three years ago?
- Is the school evaluation added at least every three years to the binder?
- Are private evaluations updated every time a child is evaluated privately?
4. IEP Section Checklist
- Is the copy of the parent’s rights and safeguards updated yearly?
- Are prior written notices and meeting notes updated regularly?
5. Progress Record Checklist
- Are progress evaluation tests conducted regularly?
- Are updates of progress being timely reported to parents and students?
- Is the report card and progress report of the child updated as soon as it comes from the teacher or school?
6. Behavior Section Checklist
- Are the School handbook and school calendar updated yearly?
- Are the disciplinary notices updated at the same time the child receives them?
- Are the behavior invention plans updated yearly or regularly??
7. Sample Work
- Are the samples of schoolwork added at least monthly or as often as parents see signs of progress?
- Are the standardised test results added as soon as they are sent home?
Role of a checklist in IEP binder
The IEP binder is an important document to organize all the related documents. What’s equally important is to make sure all its attributes of it are present in it- this can be supported by a checklist. Apart from these insights, here are a few other areas where the checklist turns important:
- Ensuring the aesthetics of the Binder are appropriate.
- It ensures that all the documents are chronologically ordered for easy reference.
- Before an IEP meeting, parents can opt for this checklist to make sure all the relevant documents for the discussion are easily accessible when needed.
- With this checklist, teachers can check and fill the gaps if any, in areas like providing updates or evaluations.
- During a meeting, the checklist can make sure that the binder is credible for IEP stakes reference.
Make a perfect IEP binder…
With the simple checklist that is stated above, you can come up with a perfect binder for your little one. This checklist is suitable for all members. Even in the case of updates in the Binder checklist, parents and teachers can collaboratively modify it to bring about developmental changes.
An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’,