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Supporting the IEP Process

Supporting the IEP Process. A Facilitator’s Guide. Presentation adapted from: Martin, N. (2010). Supporting the IEP process: A facilitator’s guide. Baltimore, MD: Brookes. Facilitate – to make easier. Picture a meeting… that went south What happened? What was the source of the problem?

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Supporting the IEP Process

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  1. Supporting the IEP Process A Facilitator’s Guide Presentation adapted from: Martin, N. (2010). Supporting the IEP process: A facilitator’s guide. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.

  2. Facilitate – to make easier • Picture a meeting… that went south • What happened? What was the source of the problem? • What might have helped? • Positive attitudes and mutual understanding • Preconferencing • Meeting structure • Communication • Intervention points

  3. Facilitator Styles • Evaluative • An outside expert who brings knowledge and skills • Facilitative • A supporter of the process who guides • Transformative • One who reflects to the group what the members are saying or doing

  4. What helps achieve consensus? • Remembering the common purpose • Giving everyone a voice • Communicating openly yet with respect • Assuming good reason and intention • Exploring underlying interests • Valuing the team and its members • Trusting the process

  5. Philosophies of Helping Styles

  6. IEP Facilitators should • Be as transformative as possible • Only be facilitative when the team cannot do it on its own • Avoid evaluative as it can fan the fires of adversity and even when it ends in settlement it can too easily leave unresolved issues

  7. Facilitator Roles • Help all parties feel welcome • Help with ground rules and agendas • Set a good example • Safeguard a collaborative process • Promote positive communication • Help explore interests • Help ensure all are “on same page” • Clarify areas of agreement • Address unproductive communication styles • Help bring meaningful closure

  8. Sample Ground Rules • Remember the purpose to serve the child • Make good use of time • Stay on task and avoid sidetracking • Be courteous and respectful • Turn off electronic devices • Remain together until breaks • Speak up if someone has an “owie”

  9. Some Don’ts for Facilitators • Do not ignore issues, problems, or owies • Do not intervene too soon without giving reasonable time for team to suggest reviewing ground rules • Do not become directive • Do not ignore agenda • Do not ignore time projections • Do not ignore group agreements

  10. Planning & Guiding the Meeting • Before the meeting • Contact the chairperson • Contact the parent • Arriving at the meeting • Setting the stage • Handling objections • Managing the meeting • Working with advocates and attorneys

  11. Intervention Strategies Transformative Facilitative Pause for reflection Ask about ground rules Hold a focus Probe for underlying interests Acknowledge Affirm Refocus When in doubt, check it out Ask for help Apologize Make a deal • Repeat for recognition • Reframe for recognition • Reflect for recognition • Empower

  12. Indicators of Impasse • The same issues are repeated without progress • Team members are locked into opposing positions • Comments are made • Threats are made • Members have nothing further to say • One or more members of the meeting have decided to end without reaching consensus

  13. Dealing with Impasse • Reflect and acknowledge • Ask for help, invite suggestions as to the source of the impasse • Retrace the day’s progress, review agreements, identify what remains undecided • Play with the time shape of a proposal • Build in guarantees and contingencies • Probe for benefits of reaching agreement today • Propose another meeting • Narrow the issues by summarizing agreements • Invite agreements about disagreements

  14. Establishing IEP Facilitation: The Facilitator • Who will facilitate? • What training and experience? • How much content knowledge? • Which philosophy/style? • Availability? • Cost? • Logistics?

  15. Establishing IEP Facilitation: The District • Who will coordinate? • How will FIEP be evaluated? • What FIEP information tracked? • Who will inform IEP team members? • Availability? • Cost? • Logistics?

  16. Summary • Facilitation is one of the many facets of a comprehensive conflict prevention and resolution program • Provide preventative staff development on collaboration and conflict resolution • Ensure principals, assistant principals, and general classroom teachers become involved as well – not just special education staff

  17. For Technical Assistance and Training Contact Special Education Solutions Region 4 Education Service Center 7145 West Tidwell Houston, TX 77092 713.744.6365 Linda De Zell Hall, PhD lhall@esc4.net 713.744.6399 • Jerry Klekotta • gklekotta@esc4.net • 713.744.6393

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