The videos I found on YouTube and chose for the professional networking task were Developing an IEP which was about 46 min and Mock IEP meeting which ran for some 26 min. The total professional networking minutes are about 1 hour and 12 Minutes. The first video I watched was Developing an IEP which was being conducted by Parent Consultant, Judy Jones. In essence, she is also a mother of two disabled children and a registered foster care provider. The meeting was on preparing and participating in individual education programs. The essence of the meeting was to introduce ‘parents as partners in the IEP process’ as put in one of the videos introductory statements.
Some of the topics touched on in the video meeting were: defining a disabled child—significant examples were given in order to be clear from the start. Another topic was how parents should prepare for IEP’s as well as a clear list of who the IEP teams consist of. Consequently, another important issue that was touched on was the importance of taking advice but making decisions individually and uniquely—essentially, every parent’s case is unique. Another very important thing mentioned in the meeting is the use of technology to help in the individual education programs. Lastly, other important things touched on were the need for consistent follow up—accessing children’s behavior and children who are above 18 years.
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The next video was Mock IEP meeting . I thought the title of the video was important in understanding clearly what happens in individualized education program meetings. The second video was hosted by several people playing different roles in order to fully realize an actual meeting instance. In essence, the child in discussion at the meeting was Henry; Henry’s mother was introduced as Jeanne Allan. The other people were individualized education professionals who consisted of Henry's special education teacher; Henry's reading coach; Henry's second grade teacher; and Henry’s school principal. It seemed like he was the one recording the minutes for this particular individualized education program meeting.
I thought the meeting was going to be a briefing to Henry’s mother but surprisingly every individual in the meeting seemed to work as a team. The professionals gave various instances from their interactions with Henry while the mother contributed by suggesting things that could be done to improve Henry’s individualized education program. In essence, the IEP meeting was more about improving Henry’s education process. The conclusion made in the meeting was that Henry receives more intimate educational settings.
The two videos are insightful in understanding individualized education programs planning, developing and follow up processes. The first video takes one through a process of finding the appropriate programs for a child and initiating them throughout their educational endeavors. The second video shows how to follow up in order to give children the best possible education. In essence, the videos have enlightened me on about three things. One is that Individualized Education Programs are developed in ways that focus on the child’s strength. This is important because it leads to having the best education provided and secondly according to previous academic achievements from properly structured IEPs. The third thing is encouraging parents to have measurable goals on their children’s development. Having clear goals enables parents and professionals to understand the child’s progress.
The videos have been eye opening on conducting Individualized Education Programs in giving special insight on meetings and the programs themselves. I believe the two would be very helpful to parents in selecting education programs for their children.
References
Developing an IEP 46 min - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU2XzCEsAEE
Mock IEP meeting - 26 min - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK-OH4nhZhY
