Are IEP meetings still being held virtually?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope virtual options will remain in the future. The pandemic definitely allowed certain things to be easier. This is one of them. Same with parent/teacher conferences and back to school night. (I do think parents should have the option for IEP and conferences in person, just pointing out this is very convenient for working parents)

It always was an option. Parents just had to ask for a phone or video option. Same for experts parents want at the meeting. The psychologist that did the neuropsychological testing for my child is in Baltimore. The team could meet in person at my child’s school but she participated over Zoom. Saved me for paying for her travel.

That isn’t true. Having someone call into a meeting was an option, but a fully virtual meeting where everyone is on equal footing was not an option.

I have been to so many more IEPs with both parents, and with service providers who aren’t based at individual schools (e.g. The TVI or AT specialist). In many situations virtual is way better. I think the choice should be the parents’ at this point but I hope fully virtual (not MCPS all in one room with “outsiders” on Zoom that’s awful) remains a choice.

I teach at a Title I school, and have seen so much more parent engagement and participation in the virtual meetings. Parents who have to choose between not getting paid and missing an important meeting for the child can now join the meeting from their job while on a break. Parents with young children at home don't have to pack them up and cart them awkwardly into the meeting, or pay for a babysitter. Just this week I had a meeting with both parents joining separately from their fast food/retail jobs. Virtual meetings are so much more equitable.

Title 1 teacher too! I agree wholeheartedly with this. If a parent wants an in-person meeting I'm 100% good with that, but I hope virtual meetings continue to be an option people know about and take advantage of. I had one today with a parent who joined from her car!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, I would like the option of virtual as well but I prefer in person at least for my son’s IEP meeting. I find that in a virtual meeting, people are easily distracted and I saw that the PT/OT was doing other things as soon as her part was done. I can’t imagine that happening in person. I wholeheartedly agree that virtual is easier for parents who can’t get away or who have childcare issues. In my case, we have no problem taking time off from work to do this. I’m just surprised I was told that IEP meetings are still virtual and an in-person option was not presented. Our IEP meeting would be in early April.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope virtual options will remain in the future. The pandemic definitely allowed certain things to be easier. This is one of them. Same with parent/teacher conferences and back to school night. (I do think parents should have the option for IEP and conferences in person, just pointing out this is very convenient for working parents)

It always was an option. Parents just had to ask for a phone or video option. Same for experts parents want at the meeting. The psychologist that did the neuropsychological testing for my child is in Baltimore. The team could meet in person at my child’s school but she participated over Zoom. Saved me for paying for her travel.

That isn’t true. Having someone call into a meeting was an option, but a fully virtual meeting where everyone is on equal footing was not an option.

I have been to so many more IEPs with both parents, and with service providers who aren’t based at individual schools (e.g. The TVI or AT specialist). In many situations virtual is way better. I think the choice should be the parents’ at this point but I hope fully virtual (not MCPS all in one room with “outsiders” on Zoom that’s awful) remains a choice.

I teach at a Title I school, and have seen so much more parent engagement and participation in the virtual meetings. Parents who have to choose between not getting paid and missing an important meeting for the child can now join the meeting from their job while on a break. Parents with young children at home don't have to pack them up and cart them awkwardly into the meeting, or pay for a babysitter. Just this week I had a meeting with both parents joining separately from their fast food/retail jobs. Virtual meetings are so much more equitable.

[b]

School psychologist at title 1 school and I absolutely agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope virtual options will remain in the future. The pandemic definitely allowed certain things to be easier. This is one of them. Same with parent/teacher conferences and back to school night. (I do think parents should have the option for IEP and conferences in person, just pointing out this is very convenient for working parents)

It always was an option. Parents just had to ask for a phone or video option. Same for experts parents want at the meeting. The psychologist that did the neuropsychological testing for my child is in Baltimore. The team could meet in person at my child’s school but she participated over Zoom. Saved me for paying for her travel.

That isn’t true. Having someone call into a meeting was an option, but a fully virtual meeting where everyone is on equal footing was not an option.

I have been to so many more IEPs with both parents, and with service providers who aren’t based at individual schools (e.g. The TVI or AT specialist). In many situations virtual is way better. I think the choice should be the parents’ at this point but I hope fully virtual (not MCPS all in one room with “outsiders” on Zoom that’s awful) remains a choice.

I teach at a Title I school, and have seen so much more parent engagement and participation in the virtual meetings. Parents who have to choose between not getting paid and missing an important meeting for the child can now join the meeting from their job while on a break. Parents with young children at home don't have to pack them up and cart them awkwardly into the meeting, or pay for a babysitter. Just this week I had a meeting with both parents joining separately from their fast food/retail jobs. Virtual meetings are so much more equitable.

[b]

School psychologist at title 1 school and I absolutely agree.

As a parent I disagree that virtual is more equitable.

During virtual IEP meetings for my child -

* a school administrator was driving his car

* the general educator left before the meeting concluded

* the meeting was put on mute while staff held a side bar conversation

* reports that were left out of the 5 day documents were not available for reference

* at times there were technical difficulties with audio when someone was presenting

* child was at school while parents were at home (very uncomfortable for my child)

Parents should have the choice of virtual or in person. Very rarely does MCPS staff choose an option that is in the best interest of the child or family. The fact that schools have covered up the reality that in person meetings have resumed shows how MCPS operates under lies of omissions. There is no BOE ban against in person IEP meetings. MCPS can no longer hide behind COVID when the reality is to exclude parents from the process.

[Anonymous]

Don’t assume one format works for all families. Steps to make IEP Meetings equitable for families:

Ask parents what days and times they are available.

Ask parents if they would like an in person meeting or virtual.

Provide all documents to be discussed with the 5 day documents (a state requirement).

Provide translator services for IEP meetings when needed so parents can participate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope virtual options will remain in the future. The pandemic definitely allowed certain things to be easier. This is one of them. Same with parent/teacher conferences and back to school night. (I do think parents should have the option for IEP and conferences in person, just pointing out this is very convenient for working parents)

It always was an option. Parents just had to ask for a phone or video option. Same for experts parents want at the meeting. The psychologist that did the neuropsychological testing for my child is in Baltimore. The team could meet in person at my child’s school but she participated over Zoom. Saved me for paying for her travel.

That isn’t true. Having someone call into a meeting was an option, but a fully virtual meeting where everyone is on equal footing was not an option.

I have been to so many more IEPs with both parents, and with service providers who aren’t based at individual schools (e.g. The TVI or AT specialist). In many situations virtual is way better. I think the choice should be the parents’ at this point but I hope fully virtual (not MCPS all in one room with “outsiders” on Zoom that’s awful) remains a choice.

I teach at a Title I school, and have seen so much more parent engagement and participation in the virtual meetings. Parents who have to choose between not getting paid and missing an important meeting for the child can now join the meeting from their job while on a break. Parents with young children at home don't have to pack them up and cart them awkwardly into the meeting, or pay for a babysitter. Just this week I had a meeting with both parents joining separately from their fast food/retail jobs. Virtual meetings are so much more equitable.

[b]

School psychologist at title 1 school and I absolutely agree.

As a parent I disagree that virtual is more equitable.

During virtual IEP meetings for my child -

* a school administrator was driving his car

* the general educator left before the meeting concluded

* the meeting was put on mute while staff held a side bar conversation

* reports that were left out of the 5 day documents were not available for reference

* at times there were technical difficulties with audio when someone was presenting

* child was at school while parents were at home (very uncomfortable for my child)

Parents should have the choice of virtual or in person. Very rarely does MCPS staff choose an option that is in the best interest of the child or family. The fact that schools have covered up the reality that in person meetings have resumed shows how MCPS operates under lies of omissions. There is no BOE ban against in person IEP meetings. MCPS can no longer hide behind COVID when the reality is to exclude parents from the process.

I've seen all kinds of things at in-person meetings such as the principal typing away on their phone for the majority of the meeting, school participants typing on their computers when not speaking (I'm not including the person responsible for the meeting notes), staff asking to be dismissed after they've done their part (which I understand since they are supposed to also be serving their students), staff communicating via email and text with each other during the meeting, the list goes on. Don't think that in-person meetings solve all of the problems you mentioned. I have found virtual much more efficient, no drive time to/from school, if the team is running late I can continue working at my desk instead of sitting in the school office cooling my heels, and just overall the meetings don't take as long. We get down to business and wrap up the meeting in decent time. People start to tune out when the meetings drag on or get stuck on one area for too long.

[Anonymous]

All the school staff is at school. Let the parents decide if they want to come in person or not. They are the ones mostly impacted to take off work. Some prefer virtual. Some prefer in person.

[Anonymous]

I had an in person IEP meeting back in September.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had an in person IEP meeting back in September.

Did you have to ask for in person or did your school just invite you to an in person meeting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope virtual options will remain in the future. The pandemic definitely allowed certain things to be easier. This is one of them. Same with parent/teacher conferences and back to school night. (I do think parents should have the option for IEP and conferences in person, just pointing out this is very convenient for working parents)

It always was an option. Parents just had to ask for a phone or video option. Same for experts parents want at the meeting. The psychologist that did the neuropsychological testing for my child is in Baltimore. The team could meet in person at my child’s school but she participated over Zoom. Saved me for paying for her travel.

That isn’t true. Having someone call into a meeting was an option, but a fully virtual meeting where everyone is on equal footing was not an option.

I have been to so many more IEPs with both parents, and with service providers who aren’t based at individual schools (e.g. The TVI or AT specialist). In many situations virtual is way better. I think the choice should be the parents’ at this point but I hope fully virtual (not MCPS all in one room with “outsiders” on Zoom that’s awful) remains a choice.

I teach at a Title I school, and have seen so much more parent engagement and participation in the virtual meetings. Parents who have to choose between not getting paid and missing an important meeting for the child can now join the meeting from their job while on a break. Parents with young children at home don't have to pack them up and cart them awkwardly into the meeting, or pay for a babysitter. Just this week I had a meeting with both parents joining separately from their fast food/retail jobs. Virtual meetings are so much more equitable.

School psychologist at title 1 school and I absolutely agree.

As a parent I disagree that virtual is more equitable.

During virtual IEP meetings for my child -

[b]* a school administrator was driving his car

* the general educator left before the meeting concluded

* the meeting was put on mute while staff held a side bar conversation

* reports that were left out of the 5 day documents were not available for reference

* at times there were technical difficulties with audio when someone was presenting

* child was at school while parents were at home (very uncomfortable for my child)

Parents should have the choice of virtual or in person. Very rarely does MCPS staff choose an option that is in the best interest of the child or family. The fact that schools have covered up the reality that in person meetings have resumed shows how MCPS operates under lies of omissions. There is no BOE ban against in person IEP meetings. MCPS can no longer hide behind COVID when the reality is to exclude parents from the process.

These sound very frustrating (except for the last one--was your child present at the meeting? If they are old enough to participate in the meetings, I would think they would understand why you are in different places). But they can also apply to in-person meetings, and are not tied to virtual. Disengaged staff, interruptions, improper document delivery, and staff leaving early can all occur in person. I found the virtual meetings solved some of these issues, because if a staff member was interrupted, they didn't have to excuse themselves or disrupt the meeting. If a staff member left early because their piece was finished, they could pop back on if needed. Admin being in their car for the meeting would frustrate me, but perhaps it was better than the alternative--rescheduling the meeting, having a different admin who has not been part of the process, etc. Just some thoughts.

[Anonymous]

These meetings are during school hours. Very few staff members are mandated attendees. Those employees should have ample coverage for their attendance responsibilities. Meetings typically are scheduled two weeks to four weeks in advance so there’s time for their duties to be covered or another person assigned to the meeting. It’s unacceptable not to give the student the attention that these meetings require and is definitely not a reason to mandate that they stay virtual.

Sounds like virtual allows for school staff to do other things during the meeting than be full participants in the meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These meetings are during school hours. Very few staff members are mandated attendees. Those employees should have ample coverage for their attendance responsibilities. Meetings typically are scheduled two weeks to four weeks in advance so there’s time for their duties to be covered or another person assigned to the meeting. It’s unacceptable not to give the student the attention that these meetings require and is definitely not a reason to mandate that they stay virtual.

Sounds like virtual allows for school staff to do other things during the meeting than be full participants in the meeting.

This is really your takeaway, after several posts pointed out the convenience for parents? Yes, there is coverage for "duties" (meaning.. instructing students) but it's coverage. I'd much rather have a teacher say their piece, contribute what's necessary, and then get back to students as quickly as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does it need to be in person? One of the major upgrades has been virtual parent meetings. Parents don’t have to deal with taking extra time off work to drive to/from the school, no dealing with the parking lot or not knowing which entrance to use, no waiting for the terribly slow ID system to decide to work, no one on staff has to escort the parents to and from the meeting (which itself takes 5-10 minutes). In person meetings need to be a thing of the past!!

Says the general educator who left the IEP at some point in the middle.

Seriously - the virtual IEP meeting doesn’t engage all the members. People tune out (and leave without announcing they are leaving). What gets lost is the needs of the child.

Schools should give families choice. Their heavy handed approach to schedule meetings without checking with the parent as to preference as to format and time is a passive aggressive way of not treating parents as equal team members.

I agree that on the face of it that was rude but there might be some extenuating circumstances for why the teacher had to abruptly leave the meeting and I think the correct thing to do would be ask them what happened vs smearing them online

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, I would like the option of virtual as well but I prefer in person at least for my son’s IEP meeting. I find that in a virtual meeting, people are easily distracted and I saw that the PT/OT was doing other things as soon as her part was done. I can’t imagine that happening in person. I wholeheartedly agree that virtual is easier for parents who can’t get away or who have childcare issues. In my case, we have no problem taking time off from work to do this. I’m just surprised I was told that IEP meetings are still virtual and an in-person option was not presented. Our IEP meeting would be in early April.

He among us who has not done something else in a meeting when our part is over throw the first stone

[Anonymous]

IEP meetings are supposed to be collaborative conversation. The reason the general educator legally is supposed to be a member at the entire meeting - unless both the school and parents agree the teacher can be dismissed - is that the teacher is the main person who sees the child in the school environment every day. The teacher knows what the child does well and what the child struggles with. The teacher would know what can be reasonably accommodated. The teacher provides input as to how the student is progressing towards goals and if the goals should be amended. Basically, the teacher should be an active participant through out the entire meeting.