Are you looking at a new or different school for your child with an IEP?
Whether you are moving to a new city or state, are looking at the full continuum of services and placement, or are interested in knowing what other schools nearby are doing for their students, there are questions you should ask at every school.
- What is the student to staff ratio?
- Find out how many teachers there are per student in each class your student may be in. A self-contained special education class might have 6 students and 2 adults, but the general-education gym class might have 42 students and 1 teacher. Know the numbers so you can make the best decisions for your child- including asking for an aide for the larger classes if needed.
- Are schedules individualized based on IEPs?
- Do students with IEPs all stay together all day? Do they go in and out of different services as needed? Do they get to choose elective classes that meet their needs and interests?
- What technology is used in the classroom?
- Do students have access to various technology? How often? For what purpose? Do they share devices or are devices 1-to-1? What do students create using technology?
- What extra-curricular options are there?
- Are there any clubs or sports your child is interested in? Does your child need additional supports to access extra-curricular activities?
- What would a typical day look like for my child?
- How many transitions would they have? How many different teachers would they have? What time is lunch? How long is recess? Do they have all the same classes every day?
- What curriculum do you use?
- Ask this in each subject. Do all students follow the exact same curriculum? Does the teacher make all their own materials with no set curriculum? Is there a ciriculuum the class uses as a base with additional supports and lessons for individual students?
- How are therapies and services delievered?
- Can there be a combination of inclusion/push-in and pull-out/resource/self-contained? Does the school support inclusion and co-teaching? Are therapies provided within the classroom or in a separate setting? Where and how often will your child receive their services?
- How will the unique needs of my child be met?
- What other supports does your child need? Access to a nurse? Bathroom near the classroom? Extra snacks throughout the day? Sensory areas? Art incorporation? Talk to the school about your child and what you know they need to be successful. Get specific about their needs and how the school can accommodate and support those needs.
What other questions do you ask when you look at new schools? Make sure to always look at 3 or more schools to get a better picture of your options.
Want help asking these questions? Do you have other questions about your child’s education and how their IEP is supported at school? Reach out through a message or set up a FREE 15-minute phone consultation.