NEWS: New IEP Implementation Conference Being Hosted by League School for Autism
WALPOLE, MASSACHUSETTS, February 23, 2024 — A revised IEP form and process for students with disabilities in Massachusetts. League School for Autism is hosting Countdown to Implementation: Strategies and Resources for the New IEP Form on March 22, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST at the Holiday Inn Boston-Dedham Hotel & Conference Center. This conference is designed to provide school personnel with concrete, useful implementation strategies of the new IEP Form through the sharing of models, resources, and materials developed by staff in seven different Massachusetts districts/schools. IEP (Individualized Educational Program) Forms are used by schools to create a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services.
According to The Policy Minute, an online resource dedicated to exploring Massachusetts education policy issues, “the current Individualized Education Program (IEP) forms and IEP Process Guide have not be updated since the early days of the 21st century (or 2001 if you like firm dates) and are based on late-1900s systems for special education programming. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)‘s IEP Improvement Project has been working since 2014 to design, pilot and roll out a revised IEP form and process for students with disabilities in Massachusetts.”
Their online article dated January 2024 goes on to explain that “the new IEP forms are more structured with grids and checklists along with spaces for narratives. The flow of the document is redesigned to increase collaboration among team members so students with disabilities have meaningful access to the curriculum frameworks and life of the school. The new IEP Form centers the students’ vision, identifies language acquisition issues for English learners in the student profile and intentionally addresses transition planning for all age groups.”
Nearly 200 special education teachers and administrative leaders are expected to attend the day-long Countdown to Implementation conference and will participate in sessions highlighting step-by-step approaches to adopting the new IEP Form, assistive technology & augmentative communication, team decision-making, data collection & tracking, goal writing, stakeholder engagement, and strength mapping. The workshops will be presented by Massachusetts area schools and districts, including Norton Public Schools, League School for Autism, Silver Lake Regional School District, Wakefield Public Schools, Mansfield Public Schools, and Waltham Public Schools.
The deadline to register for the conference is March 15th with an early registration discount for participants who register by March 1st.
ABOUT LEAGUE SCHOOL FOR AUTISM
Located in Walpole, Massachusetts, the League School for Autism is a leading private day and residential school for students ages 3 to 22 on the Autism Spectrum. Since 1966, we’ve been dedicated to excellence in autism education and individual development. We employ a unique, comprehensive approach emphasizing academic, social, emotional, communication, and behavior skills to maximize positive outcomes for the individuals we serve and their families.
For more information about the conference, you’re urged to contact Dr. Margaret Reed, Conference Facilitator, League School for Autism at mreed@leagueschool.com or call 508-850-3900, ext. 316.
