Online ISSN: 2325-7466
2006
Triannual
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
United States

Articles

The Best Kept Secret: Readability and Accessibility of IEPs

  • Kathleen G. Winterman, Ed.D. (Author) Xavier University image/svg+xml
    Kathleen G. Winterman’s experiences in the field include teaching as an intervention specialist in inclusive settings, serving as an Elementary Principal, an Associate Professor, Program Director, Director of the School of Education, and Director of the Educational Centers at Xavier University while serving on multiple State of Ohio committees. She holds an Ed.D in Special Education Leadership. As an educational advocate, research interests include teacher preparation, IEP development, family supports, Early Childhood Special Education, Autism, educational leadership, the use of instructional technology, and services for students with mental illnesses. Grant interests include incorporating evidence-based practices for program improvement and increasing opportunities for impactful growth through authentic experiences. Leading educational programs while providing instructional supports for program development, grant writing, management, technical assistance, and reporting are a means for continuous improvement while providing valid experiences which empower growth and development of all participants—learners and practitioners alike.
  • Clarissa E. Rosas, Ph.D. (Author) Concordia University image/svg+xml
    Clarissa Rosas, is an equity-driven scholar-practitioner holding a Ph.D. in Multicultural Special Education from the University of New Mexico, and a master's degree in special education from the University of San Diego. Extensive PreK-12 special education experience as a teacher, administrator, regional leader, and teacher educator in higher education across four states (CA, NM, OH, TX). Nationally/internationally recognized for advancing inclusive, culturally responsive practices to improve outcomes for diverse learners, including students with disabilities and emergent bi/multilinguals. Designed innovative teacher preparation programs centering equity-focused, evidence-based strategies for effectively serving marginalized populations and building capacity in IDEA compliance, OSEP guidance, technical assistance systems, and high-leverage pedagogies. Accomplished consultant providing professional development on key topics such as IDEA implementation, IEP development, and literacy for multilingual learners. Skilled presenter/facilitator and adult learning specialist proficient in virtual/in-person training delivery. Authored practice-oriented publications, proposals, and resources advocating for continuous improvement of special education policies and instruction. Dedicated to cross-sector collaboration transforming systems to ensure equitable, high-quality inclusive education upholding IDEA's promise. Bridges research and practice to empower educators, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to effectively meet the diverse needs of all learners.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.573
Abstract
Individualized education plans (IEPs) are to serve as a guideline for the supports and services a student with a disability needs to have access to the general education curriculum. State departments of education monitor the compliance of these programs within the public schools. This study found the materials that state departments use to inform parents and guardians about IEPs and their rights and responsibilities in the special education process are difficult to read and understand for most parents, which potentially limits the ability to advocate for their children. The implications of these findings suggest the parents’ capacity for active participation in the IEP processes are diminished. Opportunities for improving collaboration and communication between schools and families are discussed.
Keywords
Academic Language, Access to Information, Child Advocacy, Educational Legislation, Equal Education, Federal Legislation
References

Blackwell, W., & Rossetti, Z. (2014). The development of Individualized Education Programs: Where have we been and where should we go now? Sage, 20(4), 1–15. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2158244014530411 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014530411

Cadieux, C., Crooks, C., & King, C. (2019). Parents’ experiences with an individualized intervention designed to strengthen the family-school partnership: The parents in partnership with educators (PIPE) program. Exceptionality Education International, 29(2), 1-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5206/eei.v29i2.9398

DuBay, W. H. (2004). The principles of readability. Online Submission. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED490073.pdf

Flesch, R. (1963). How to write, speak and think more effectively. Signet Books. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, 118 U.S.C. § 2647.

Irwin, V., Wang, K., Tezil, T., Zhang, J., Filbey, A., Jung, J., Bullock Mann, F., Dilig, R., and Parker, S. (2023). Report on the condition of education 2023 (NCES 2023-144). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved [date] from https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2023144.

Kupper, L. (2000). A Guide to the Individualized Education Program. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (ED), Washington, DC.; National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, Washington, DC.

Martin, J.E., Van Dycke, J.L., Christensen, W.R., Greene, B.A., Gardner, J.E., & Lovett, D.L. (2006). Increasing student participation in IEP meetings: Establishing the self-directed IEP as an evidenced-based practice. Exceptional Children, 72(3), 299-316. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290607200303

National Center for Educational Statistics. (2021). National Assessment of Adult Literacy. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/reading/achieve.aspx#2009_grade12.

Nord, C., Hicks, L., Hoover, K., Jones, M., Lin, A., Lyons, M., Perkins, R., Roey, S., Rust, K., and Sickles, D. (2011). The 2009 High School Transcript Study User’s Guide (NCES 2011–465). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Rosas, C. E., & Winterman, K.G. (2023). The IEP checklist: Your guide to creating meaningful and compliant IEPs. (2nd ed.) Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Schaeffer, (2023). Striking findings from 2021. PEW Research Center.

Slade, N., Eisenhower, A., Carter, A.S., & Blacher, J. (2018). Satisfaction with individualized education programs among parents of young children. Exceptional Children, 84(3), 242-260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402917742923

Smith, R.F. (1984). How consistently do readability tests measure the difficulty of newswriting? Newspaper Research Journal, 5(4), 1-8. https://doi-org.xavier.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/073953298400500401 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/073953298400500401

White, S., & McCloskey, M. (n.d). Framework for the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NCES 2005-531). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, U.S. Census of Population. (2021). Educational Attainment in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?q=high+school+graduation+rate&page=1&stateGeo=none&searchtype=web&cssp=SERP&_charset_=UTF-8

Zirkel, P. A., & Hetrick, A. (2017). Which procedural parts of the IEP process are the most judicially vulnerable? Exceptional Children, 83(2), 219-235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402916651849 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402916651849

There are 16 references in total.
How to Cite
Winterman, K. G., & Rosas, C. E. (2025). The Best Kept Secret: Readability and Accessibility of IEPs. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 20(1), 130-140. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.573

Winter 2025

Article Information

  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted December 9, 2024
  • Published February 15, 2025
  • Issue Winter 2025
  • Section Articles
  • File Downloads 0
  • Abstract Views 1
  • Altmetrics
  • Share
Download data is not yet available.