IEP TEAM MEMBER EXCUSAL

October 14, 2011

SOMETIMES YOU JUST CAN’T MAKE IT… BUT you still need to participate in IEP

meetings in a well-documented, meaningful manner.

WHEN CAN A MEMBER OF THE TEAM BE EXCUSED? When the parent and LEA agree that the

attendance is not necessary because the member’s area of service isn’t being modified or discussed

Major change: The member’s absence needs to be documented on Member Excusal form Include reason for absence

Minor change to service area that is not yours: No need to complete the Member Excusal form

WHAT ARE MAJOR AND MINOR CHANGES?

Here are your answers:http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/2138101611214

1880/lib/21381016112141880/Making_Changes_to_the_IEP.pdf

If the parent and LEA consent to the excusal

The member MUST submit, in writing, to the parent and team, input into the development of the IEP prior to the meeting.

HOW IS THE EXCUSAL DOCUMENTED? Use the Davis School District IEP Team

Member Not Attending formBest practice is to involve all relevant

members of the IEP team whenever possible. Use the form SPARINGLY. When used, a copy needs to be sent to your

supervisor at the district.

What does the form look like?

WHEN IS THE EXCUSAL DOCUMENTED? The parent has the right to consent or

refuse consent for an IEP team member excusal. It is not appropriate to request this consent

at the scheduled meeting time.Consent must be sought prior to the

scheduled meeting time.. It is recommended that consent is obtained

and written input is provided no less than 2 days prior to the meeting.

WHO CAN’T BE EXCUSED? The LEA designee

This team member is responsible for knowledge about the availability of resources of the LEA.

If a trained LEA designee cannot attend, the meeting must be re-scheduled for a time when an LEA is available.

CAN SOMEBODY ELSE BE THE LEA? In limited cases, a TRAINED school

counselor may act as an LEA Designee.

WHAT ABOUT THE GENERAL ED. TEACHER? Requirements for General Ed. Teacher

attendance are listed on page 3 of the PIE “IEP Team Member Excusal” documentThere are very limited circumstances in

which a general education teacher is not required at an eligibility/IEP meeting.

HOW MANY MEMBERS CAN BE EXCUSED? Excusal of more that 1 IEP team

member is not recommended because it could deny parents their right to meaningfully participate in the IEP process.

If more than 1 team member cannot attend, the meeting should be re-scheduled.

WHAT IF A PARENT REFUSES AN EXCUSAL? The team needs to identify a meeting

date and time that all members of the team can be present.

Meetings need to include all members whenever possible.

WHAT INFO. SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE MISSING TEAM MEMBER? Date of submission of written statement

of input into the development of the IEP.This MUST be at least two days before the

meeting The input the excused member has to

offer to the IEP. The location the input is documented on

the DRAFT IEP.Goal area, service labels, times and freq.,

classroom and/or test modifications or accommodations

GIVE THE PARENT… A copy of the DRAFT IEP labeled DRAFT

with the areas of documentation highlighted along with this explanation.

Attach all of the above documentation to the Member not Attending form and place in the student’s file with the IEP.

WHAT IF THE STUDENT HAS MASTERED A SKILL AND/OR THE SERVICE IS BEING DISCONTINUED?

Provide evidence of the student’s present level of functioning and academic performance.

Progress reports or an evaluation summary can support ending services.

Be sure to update progress reports to show achievement

Provide contact information to the parent

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT… Excusal of a team member is not

intended to be a time saver. Involvement in the IEP team meeting is

often less time consuming than the excusal process.