DIY IEP
DIY IEP? This, of course, stands for do-it-yourself individualized education program. If you have a child with special needs, you may be familiar with the IEP. It is a document required by law, written for each child who receives special education services, be it speech only or a full day self-contained special education program. The process of writing an IEP is often a source of frustration for both parents and teachers; parents, because often the goals set for their child don't seem relevant, adequate, or even necessary, and teachers, because their hands are tied by district, state and federal regulations, and they frequently cannot offer what they know is best for their students.
The answer to this dilemma is to home school. Teaching a special needs child at home will have its challenges (teaching any child can be challenging!) but if you want them to learn a specific set of skills, or you believe that the local school district cannot provide the best education for your child, then perhaps it is time to become your child's teacher and write your own IEP.
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