The Individualized Education Program: Do Teachers and Parents Collaborate?

BackgroundIn an Individual Educational Program (IEP), the objectives of children with special needs are defined, to help educators pinpoint these children’s educational goals. Noting the importance of teacher-parent collaboration, the current research was designed to deepen our understanding regarding the way teachers experience working with parents in planning the IEP. Method: Semi-structured interviews (18 teachers) using a three-question research protocol, later thematically analyzed. Findings: teachers value parents’ input, however acknowledge difficulties relating to parents’ potential under- or over-Involvement. DiscussionDifficulties mentioned by teachers, possibly explain the obstacles they experience in their collaboration with parents during the IEP planning and implementation.