needs: What the hell is an Individual Learning Plan?
It was early in Year 2, the teacher said “You need to come and see me” one morning before class and my girl looked at me with dread. Nothing good ever came from being asked to see the teacher. I was all “Sure whenever suits you”, while I steeled my freaking mind. I was trying to dial down that too conscientious parent look. My sweaty active wear probably did that for me. I went home made a cuppa, ignored the baby shambles state of our life and made some notes. I covered everything from diagnosis to proposed strategies. I called my beloved. He interrupted me with his usual clarity. “What if she wants to discuss something?”, but how could she when I had all the information?
Later that day, I hung around after the bell went, gave my dudes their snacks and asked them not to destroy the school. I had one eye out the door watching my boy, 5 and my girl, 7, run around. Seeing their frenzy, I set a mental clock before imminent tears, blood, public shame, back in the day when I gave a shit about that. I took a deep breath and before I could get out my notebook. She was off and running.
“Thanks for coming in, I need you to review the CAP and then sign each page at the bottom.”
(What the fuck is a CAP?) “Sure”.
“So, this column looks at some of her challenges in the classroom”
(scanning “out of range, inconsistent” all the band words for the worst music in the world)
“Just initial there”, (So I did).
“This column details the strategies we are using to meet her needs”.
(more scanning, no reference to our documents or the suggested strategies from her assessments)
“Just initial here”, (so I did).
(Is this for the whole class, or just my girl? Those “strategies” looked like the usual classroom things)
“Then you sign here, and we keep it on file”, (so I did).
“Can I have a copy?” that’s all I managed to squeak
“I don’t have a copy…” but she was cut off by a scream, the kind I was finely tuned to. I took a backwards glance at the form I’d signed. I bundled food into lunchboxes, jackets in bags and kids in car, I had already forgotten what the 3 letters were. I reversed out of the car park telling myself I would follow up. It sounded important. And the CAP? Well, we never saw it again.
means: Learning plan highlights Q & A
What is a CAP ELP ILP? They are different acronyms for the same thing. Curriculum Adjusted Plan, Individual Learning Plan, Individual Educational Plan. The aim is to list the needs, strategies to be used, who is involved, and timelines for review. Other things are added in the school version.
Does it stick to your kid? It is between you, your kid and the school. It is not provided to a third party.
Is it required by law? It is governed on a state by state basis by the department of education and in some states, it is a requirement of legislation.
Do kids with plans get treated differently? The great teaches are already accommodating your kid’s needs, so it might just highlight the needs, but for the teachers that don’t get what your kid needs it can be your insurance- spelling out the specific needs. As far as stigma is concerned, it is only about helping your kid learn in a way that helps them.
Who writes it? Usually the teacher drafts the Plan. Sometimes a neuro educational psych will draft the Plan but they will charge you for it and the school doesn’t have to use one they didn’t draft.
What is in the plan? Simply put, your child’s needs and how to help them.
Can you have input? You can, but may not be given the opportunity.
Does the child see it? Kids may not be included but should be. They will understand why things around them are happening. This should not be another meeting where adults make decisions that impact the child.
Is it worth it? Depends on who prepared it and what it contains and if it is used.
When do you look at it? The minimum is when it is done. Great teachers refer to it often, incorporate it into reports and interviews. Great schools make it available to everyone who works with the child.
What goes in it? It’s not a one stop solution bank, and if it is too crowded then it won’t be used. Highlight one or two things each term that would be game-changes and get everyone on board.
Use the force. xx