Supporting the IEP Process

A Facilitator's Guide
Home Special Education
Supporting the IEP Process
Nicholas Martin
Special Education
A must for any neutral third party who facilitates IEP meetings, this accessible how-to guide is the key to building consensus and collaboration, resolving conflict, and promoting effective communication. Packed with sample dialogues and quick-reference tools and exercises.
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STOCK NUMBER ISBN
71141 978-1-59857-114-1
COPYRIGHT PAGES
2010 216
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Positive and productive IEP meetings lay the groundwork for better student outcomes, but when team opinions clash and emotions run high, a meeting can fall apart before the child can benefit. A neutral third-party facilitator can make all the difference-and now there's a practical, how-to guide that shows professionals how to step into this critical role.


A popular staff development and conflict resolution specialist whose dynamic presentations have helped thousands of professionals, Nick Martin shows readers how to effectively facilitate the whole IEP process, from initiating contact with team members to working through even the toughest conflicts. Professionals will discover the skills, actions, and attitudes they need to

  • establish a positive climate where all parties feel welcome and comfortable
  • work with the meeting chairperson to set ground rules and an agenda
  • build collaboration that leads to consensus
  • promote respectful communication among all members of the team
  • resolve conflict through effective interventions such as probing for interests, reframing, and pausing for reflection
  • respond sensitively and constructively to strong feelings
  • avoid common pitfalls of facilitation, such as being too passive or too directive, or missing critical junctures for intervention
  • recognize when an impasse has been reached and help the team break through it
  • bring meaningful closure to the meeting by clarifying what's been learned and what the next steps might be


    • Because a good facilitator knows what to say and how to say it, readers will get dozens of realistic team dialogues that not only model effective words but also help them master tone and delivery. And the practical, quick-reference tools and exercises—such as a model IEP meeting agenda, facilitation intervention exercises, and facilitator dos and don'ts—make the principles of successful facilitation clear and easy to apply.


    A must for IEP facilitators and a valuable read for all team members, this highly accessible guide is the key to maintaining harmony as parents and professionals work toward their common goal: IEPs that help children reach their full potential.

About the Author

Preface

Introduction

  1. Fa-cil-i-tate: vt. to make easier
  2. Three Philosophies of Helping: Facilitator Styles
  3. The Ten Roles of the Facilitator
  4. Planning and Guiding the Meeting
  5. Strategies for Intervention
  6. Dealing with Impasse
  7. Establishing IEP Facilitation


References


Appendix A. Exercises in Facilitation Styles: Model Responses

Appendix B. Facilitator Dos and Don'ts

Appendix C. Sample IEP Meeting Agenda

Appendix D. Exercises in Reframing: Model Reframes

Appendix E. Facilitation Intervention Options

Appendix F. Exercises in Identifying Options: Model Responses

Appendix G. Exercises in Process Intervention: Model Responses

Appendix H. Dealing with Impasse: A Summary of Options

Appendix I. 20 Questions You Should Answer Before Creating an IEP Meeting Facilitation System

Appendix J. Sample Information Sheet for a Facilitated IEP

Appendix K: Sample Agreement Form for a Facilitated IEP Meeting

Appendix K. A Broad-Based Proposal for Conflict Reduction


Index

Reviews

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Reviews

: Autism-Asperger's Digest - July 1, 2011
Armed with the practical, sensible information this book delivers, parents, teachers and administrators wil be better prepared to participate in positive, productive IEP meetings.
: Midwest Book Review- Taylor's Bookshelf - September 1, 2010
An invaluable and instructive resource for anyone having to be responsible for the conducting of an IEP meeting…Thoroughly user friendly.
Nori Cuellar Mora, former Associate Director of Instructional Services, Education Service Center, Region 2, Corpus Christi, Texas - April 1, 2010
The next best thing to having Nick Martin at your side is to purchase this guidebook. It fosters what people appreciate most often-being good listeners and guiding the way to help others get to appropriate decisions. Diplomacy and support of feelings at its best!
Chuck Noe, member Texas Council Administrators of Special Education - April 1, 2010
Martin is very knowledgeable and is excellent at training people to be facilitators . . . I highly recommend the book for those who want to become facilitators or learn about facilitation.
Peggy Blanton, former Director of Special Education, Fayette County (KY) Public Schools - April 1, 2010
For anyone whose goal is to have the IEP process result in the optimal education programs for students with disabilities.
Patty Moore, Children, Family & Advocacy Services, Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara, CA - April 1, 2010
A practical tool, easy to read, and a must have for both school staff and parents . . . models valuable strategies for conflict prevention and resolution.
Art Stewart, Coordinator of Mediation, Virginia Department of Education; Senior Advisor, CADRE, Trainer and Consultant - April 1, 2010
A clearly written and practical guide to IEP facilitation . . . loaded with examples drawn from experience with special education negotiations.
Kate Scorgie, Professor, Azusa Pacific University - April 1, 2010
This informative guide, complete with practical simulations of how an effective facilitator can enhance communication and solution-building, has the potential to transform the IEP process.
Kathy Wian, Coordinator, Conflict Resolution Program, University of Delaware - April 1, 2010
Martin's simple and practical strategies provide the basis for facilitators to support recognition, empowerment and dialogue among team members to achieve meaningful collaboration.
Gregory Abell, Senior PartnerSound Options Group, LLC - April 1, 2010
Nicholas Martin has once again provided a valuable resource in support of effective collaboration in Special Education. If you are considering serving in the role of IEP Facilitator or implementing a Facilitation system, you MUST read this book.
Kerry Voss Smith, Director, Pennsylvania Office for Dispute Resolution - April 1, 2010
A practical, step by step guide for IEP Facilitators, Martin's book is also an excellent resource for states interested in designing or refining an IEP Facilitation program.
Barbara C. Trolley, Professor, Counselor Education, St. Bonaventure University - April 1, 2010
The need for a practical guide for facilitators such as this cannot be underestimated. . . . This guide is positive, with an aim at better understanding by, and communication among, all parties.

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