B’ville schools test student-led IEP program

By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

Students in the Baldwinsville Central School District with Individualized Education Programs are learning to take the helm when it comes to planning their academic paths.

Rocco Nalli, director of special education, discussed the self-directed individualized education program (IEP) initiative in his presentation for the Feb. 8 edition of the district’s monthly Coffee and Conversation series. An IEP spells out the needs of each child with special needs and outlines a plan to meet those needs. School districts are legally bound to adhere to the document for each student.

Special education teachers have selected seven students in grades six, nine, 11 and 12 for the pilot program, which began in fall 2017. Nalli said the program will empower students by helping them understand their diagnoses and IEPs and giving them a say in choosing the services that best fit their needs.

“When students are really actively involved with what’s being given to them, what they want, what they need, they take a lot more ownership,” Nalli said.

So far, feedback from teachers, students and their families has been positive.

“I’ve been hearing nothing but tremendous, positive things,” Nalli said.

According to Nalli, New York state has encouraged districts to test such a program. He said there are three or four districts trying it out in the Mid-State region, which includes OCM BOCES, CiTi, TST BOCES, Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES and Syracuse City. Baldwinsville is the only Onondaga County district piloting the self-directed IEP program.

The regional special education training specialist from OCM BOCES and the Syracuse University Parent Advocacy Center have been conducting training sessions for special education teachers as well as students and their families.

Now, both teachers and parents are working with students to prepare for their Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings. Typically, the CSE meeting involves parents, teachers and service providers. Nalli said students age 14 and older attend their CSE meetings, “but more as a passive participant.” The self-directed IEP program will allow students to participate directly in their educational plans, even those under 14.

“That’s at the core of this process,” Nalli said of the self-directed IEP. “A lot of times, no one’s even talking to them about it.”

Students in the self-directed IEP program have been taking surveys to assess their interests, needs, skills, and strengths and weaknesses.

“The teachers are working with them. They’re using these surveys to pull out key information,” Nalli said. “The parents are working with and interviewing the kids.”

Toward the end of April, students will present their IEP proposals at their CSE meetings. In May, Nalli will report to the board of education on the pilot program’s success. He said the goal is to expand the program if all goes well.

“This is going to be a shift for us,” Nalli said. “I think it’s going to be fantastic.”