supporting the iep process

Supporting the IEP ProcessA 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? What might have helped?

Positive attitudes and mutual understanding Preconferencing Meeting structure Communication Intervention points

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

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

Philosophies of Helping StylesEvaluative Facilitative Transformative

Goal: Settlement

•Directive

•Leads

•Forecasts

•Instructs

•Provides options

•Powerful, is an authority

Goal: Productive dialogue

•Supportive

•Guide

•Probe/query with purpose

•Purposes – “what if”

•Help generate options

•Part of the team for the day

Goal: Recognition and empowerment

•Reflective

•Follows

•Asks without direction

•Does not propose

•Does not generate options

•Powerless

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

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

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”

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

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

Intervention Strategies

Transformative Repeat for recognition Reframe for recognition Reflect for recognition Empower

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

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

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

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

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?

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

For Technical Assistance and Training

ContactSpecial Education Solutions

Region 4 Education Service Center7145 West TidwellHouston, TX 77092

713.744.6365

Linda De Zell Hall, PhDlhall@esc4.net713.744.6399

Jerry Klekottagklekotta@esc4.net

713.744.6393