6 Questions to Stop Cookie Cutter IEPs

Recently, I had a conversation with a parent of a child with an IEP. We were discussing her son’s strengths and his needs for a few minutes. She didn’t feel he was progressing as she thought he would. Then she asked me what services I thought would be best for her son. The conversation proceeded like this.
Me: What services is he receiving currently?
Parent: Resource help for math and reading.
Me: How many minutes per week?
Parent: About an hour a day
Me: For both or each?
Parent: Both, I think.
Me: How is it broken down per subject?
Parent: 30 minutes each, I think.
Me: When does he get these minutes?
Parent: in the afternoon
Me: Who provides the services?
Parent: His teacher
Me: Which teacher?
Parent: Um, I think the special education teacher.
Me: Do you know the teacher’s name?
Parent: Yes, Mrs. Smith but sometimes Mrs. Jones.
Me: Who is Mrs. Jones?
Parent: An aide at school.
Me: I thought you said he was getting his resource help from his special education teacher?