PEP Classic question

[Anonymous]

Hello! We are thinking of switching our child from Pilot to Classic and was wondering if anyone can give some feedback about Classic. How many kids are there typically and how many teacher and aides? Currently, we have 12 kids in my son's school and half are "peers." Our doctor thinks that he should be in a more restrictive environment, preferable 10 kids with 1 teacher and 2 aides. I am not sure if that's Classic. He uses an AAC device and is autistic.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you get the choice, OP. MCPS just places you, and that's that, from what I understand.

[Anonymous]

My son started the year in Classic but I believe it has subtly turned into a Pilot class. I assume this is because of low registration + teacher shortages. He started the year with a class of 3 kids, and sometime after break it became around 10. There is one teacher and one para, but they also have "specials," an occupational therapist, and a speech pathologist. Some kids might have other support staff.

You might already be aware, but there's an autism class. My son has an autism diagnosis, but we were told that class would be too restrictive for him.

[Anonymous]

Classic can have up to 12 students, 1 teacher and 1 para.

What does your IEP team say?

The benefit of Pilot is the typical peers who are good models for the IEP students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Classic can have up to 12 students, 1 teacher and 1 para.

What does your IEP team say?

The benefit of Pilot is the typical peers who are good models for the IEP students.

OP here. Yes, I understand that it’s the reason they typically give to place a child in Pilot. It hasn’t been working for my son.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, they are going overboard on the "least restrictive" (and maybe it's because of lack of staff) but they are placing many kids in pilot that should have been in classic or INC. If you feel this way then you should send a note to your team asking for a meeting because you are not comfortable with your current placement. If you put it in writing, they have to oblige you with a meeting. What has the teacher said about how he is doing in the class? Ask to observe Classic and Inc classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Classic can have up to 12 students, 1 teacher and 1 para.

What does your IEP team say?

The benefit of Pilot is the typical peers who are good models for the IEP students.

OP here. Yes, I understand that it’s the reason they typically give to place a child in Pilot. It hasn’t been working for my son.

[Anonymous]

Don't do it! Fight for a 1:1 aide. Once you move to a more restrictive classroom it will be hell and impossible to move to a less restrictive environment.

[Anonymous]

Agree that you don't get a say - MCPS places your child. You can try to fight it in your IEP meeting, but it'll take a long time, and you'll probably lose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that you don't get a say - MCPS places your child. You can try to fight it in your IEP meeting, but it'll take a long time, and you'll probably lose.

Isn't placement part of the IEP team decision? Parents are part of the IEP team. Also, asking to be placed in Classic instead of Pilot - it's not that big of a difference? It sounds like they have the same number of kids and I am beginning to wonder what are the differences except that all kids have an IEP vs half SN and half peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that you don't get a say - MCPS places your child. You can try to fight it in your IEP meeting, but it'll take a long time, and you'll probably lose.

Isn't placement part of the IEP team decision? Parents are part of the IEP team. Also, asking to be placed in Classic instead of Pilot - it's not that big of a difference? It sounds like they have the same number of kids and I am beginning to wonder what are the differences except that all kids have an IEP vs half SN and half peers.

There are a lot of different PEP classes, and it’s hard to find enough information about the differences to make an educated choice between them. Personally, I think MCPS does that by design so that it doesn’t have parents pushing back on their kid’s placement.

[Anonymous]

Capp- most restrictive autism placement, full day

Full day- around 8 students, two para educators

Inc- 2.5 hours, around 8 students, two para educators

Classic- 2.5 hours, around 10-12 students, one para educator

Pilot- 2.5 hours, often 12 plus students, mix of students with IEP’s and those without, one para educator

Collaboration- 2.5 hours, around 12 students, blend with pre-k class whose students serve as peer models-when mixing classes, numbers can be 15 or so, one para educator

There are so many factors that go into determining placement and it isn’t an exact science. Kids get misplaced all the time-or maybe it’s an appropriate placement in theory, but the makeup of the class at that particular time just isn’t the right fit. Talk through your thinking of what your child needs/would most benefit from. See what information they can share about your child’s strengths and needs. A united parent and school staff will be most effective as often there is push back from PEP higher ups regarding placement changes- particularly to a more restrictive environment.

[Anonymous]

Should have added itinerant—services are provided within the child’s preschool setting and related services may be accessed at their home school, if no provider goes to the preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Capp- most restrictive autism placement, full day

Full day- around 8 students, two para educators

Inc- 2.5 hours, around 8 students, two para educators

Classic- 2.5 hours, around 10-12 students, one para educator

Pilot- 2.5 hours, often 12 plus students, mix of students with IEP’s and those without, one para educator

Collaboration- 2.5 hours, around 12 students, blend with pre-k class whose students serve as peer models-when mixing classes, numbers can be 15 or so, one para educator

There are so many factors that go into determining placement and it isn’t an exact science. Kids get misplaced all the time-or maybe it’s an appropriate placement in theory, but the makeup of the class at that particular time just isn’t the right fit. Talk through your thinking of what your child needs/would most benefit from. See what information they can share about your child’s strengths and needs. A united parent and school staff will be most effective as often there is push back from PEP higher ups regarding placement changes- particularly to a more restrictive environment.

OP here. Thank you for this. I appreciate. This is what I found for PEP Inc:
PEP INC serves children with severe communication and sensory integration needs in a structured classroom. A class of 6–9 students is taught by a special educator and two paraeducators in a special education setting.

I wonder what "severe communication" needs refer to. My DS is non-verbal at school due to social anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Capp- most restrictive autism placement, full day

Full day- around 8 students, two para educators

Inc- 2.5 hours, around 8 students, two para educators

Classic- 2.5 hours, around 10-12 students, one para educator

Pilot- 2.5 hours, often 12 plus students, mix of students with IEP’s and those without, one para educator

Collaboration- 2.5 hours, around 12 students, blend with pre-k class whose students serve as peer models-when mixing classes, numbers can be 15 or so, one para educator

There are so many factors that go into determining placement and it isn’t an exact science. Kids get misplaced all the time-or maybe it’s an appropriate placement in theory, but the makeup of the class at that particular time just isn’t the right fit. Talk through your thinking of what your child needs/would most benefit from. See what information they can share about your child’s strengths and needs. A united parent and school staff will be most effective as often there is push back from PEP higher ups regarding placement changes- particularly to a more restrictive environment.

OP here. Thank you for this. I appreciate. This is what I found for PEP Inc:
PEP INC serves children with severe communication and sensory integration needs in a structured classroom. A class of 6–9 students is taught by a special educator and two paraeducators in a special education setting.

I wonder what "severe communication" needs refer to. My DS is non-verbal at school due to social anxiety.

DP - does your DS have selective mutism? Mine does but we've have great success keeping her at her regular daycare and working with a therapist (private unfortunately). I'm curious how PEP would work for selective mutism. I'd be worried they'd focus too much on non-verbal communication and not do enough to encourage speech.

[Anonymous]

Speech therapists and OTs, PTs and other specialists both pull out and push in the classroom. They might pull out students for 15-20 minutes of individual therapy, in addition to running a 20-30 minute push in session with the entire class. Every PEP Classroom and student's needs are different. Speech/communication is worked on daily, and/but visual cues are frequently necessary in the classroom.