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Supporting the IEP Process A Facilitator’s Guide Presentation adapted from: Martin, N. (2010). Supporting the IEP process: A facilitator’s guide. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
Supporting the IEP ProcessA Facilitator’s Guide
Presentation adapted from:Martin, N. (2010). Supporting the IEP process:
A facilitator’s guide. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
Facilitate – to make easier
Picture a meeting… that went south What happened? What was the source of the
problem? What might have helped?
Positive attitudes and mutual understanding Preconferencing Meeting structure Communication Intervention points
Facilitator Styles
Evaluative An outside expert who brings knowledge and
skills Facilitative
A supporter of the process who guides Transformative
One who reflects to the group what the members are saying or doing
What helps achieve consensus?
Remembering the common purpose Giving everyone a voice Communicating openly yet with respect Assuming good reason and intention Exploring underlying interests Valuing the team and its members Trusting the process
Philosophies of Helping StylesEvaluative Facilitative Transformative
Goal: Settlement
•Directive
•Leads
•Forecasts
•Instructs
•Provides options
•Powerful, is an authority
Goal: Productive dialogue
•Supportive
•Guide
•Probe/query with purpose
•Purposes – “what if”
•Help generate options
•Part of the team for the day
Goal: Recognition and empowerment
•Reflective
•Follows
•Asks without direction
•Does not propose
•Does not generate options
•Powerless
IEP Facilitators should
Be as transformative as possible Only be facilitative when the team cannot do
it on its own Avoid evaluative as it can fan the fires of
adversity and even when it ends in settlement it can too easily leave unresolved issues
Facilitator Roles
Help all parties feel welcome
Help with ground rules and agendas
Set a good example Safeguard a
collaborative process Promote positive
communication
Help explore interests Help ensure all are “on
same page” Clarify areas of
agreement Address unproductive
communication styles Help bring meaningful
closure
Sample Ground Rules
Remember the purpose to serve the child Make good use of time Stay on task and avoid sidetracking Be courteous and respectful Turn off electronic devices Remain together until breaks Speak up if someone has an “owie”
Some Don’ts for Facilitators
Do not ignore issues, problems, or owies Do not intervene too soon without giving
reasonable time for team to suggest reviewing ground rules
Do not become directive Do not ignore agenda Do not ignore time projections Do not ignore group agreements
Planning & Guiding the Meeting
Before the meeting Contact the chairperson Contact the parent
Arriving at the meeting Setting the stage Handling objections Managing the meeting Working with advocates and attorneys
Intervention Strategies
Transformative Repeat for recognition Reframe for recognition Reflect for recognition Empower
Facilitative Pause for reflection Ask about ground rules Hold a focus Probe for underlying interests Acknowledge Affirm Refocus When in doubt, check it out Ask for help Apologize Make a deal
Indicators of Impasse
The same issues are repeated without progress Team members are locked into opposing positions Comments are made Threats are made Members have nothing further to say One or more members of the meeting have decided
to end without reaching consensus
Dealing with Impasse Reflect and acknowledge Ask for help, invite suggestions as to the source of the
impasse Retrace the day’s progress, review agreements, identify
what remains undecided Play with the time shape of a proposal Build in guarantees and contingencies Probe for benefits of reaching agreement today Propose another meeting Narrow the issues by summarizing agreements Invite agreements about disagreements
Establishing IEP Facilitation: The Facilitator Who will facilitate? What training and experience? How much content knowledge? Which philosophy/style? Availability? Cost? Logistics?
Establishing IEP Facilitation: The District Who will coordinate? How will FIEP be evaluated? What FIEP information tracked? Who will inform IEP team members? Availability? Cost? Logistics?
Summary
Facilitation is one of the many facets of a comprehensive conflict prevention and resolution program
Provide preventative staff development on collaboration and conflict resolution
Ensure principals, assistant principals, and general classroom teachers become involved as well – not just special education staff
For Technical Assistance and Training
ContactSpecial Education Solutions
Region 4 Education Service Center7145 West TidwellHouston, TX 77092
713.744.6365
Linda De Zell Hall, [email protected]
Jerry [email protected]
713.744.6393
