Yes, we do realize we are asking a lot, for any student, or any adult for that matter. It is a major skill to learn to speak up for yourself, identify your own needs, present those needs in a meeting and follow-up to make sure agreements were enforced. Are we unrealistic that we expect you to do this? Are we heartless that we have no understanding of how hard it is for a high school or middle school student to step up to this task?
No. We aren't unrealistic and we aren't heartless.
As employers, we know that the ability to communicate is a skill prized in the work place. We know that the courage to speak up for your own rights, and, later on, the rights of others, is key to being a successful employee. This is our hope and expectation for every child on every reservation, that they can not just get by in the school system and beyond, but they can succeed.
So, congratulations, you have done it! You have decided what your concerns are about your education and even have an idea what your goals are. You have discussed what you plan to say with your friends and with an adult. Sometimes, you found that as you discussed ideas, they became clearer in your own mind, or maybe you changed your mind about some of your goals and came up with others.
During the meeting
Bring in any documents that you think may be helpful. These could be medical records that prove a disability or show another reason for being absent. Letters of recommendation from employers, samples of school work or descriptions of jobs or school programs in which you are interested are all types of documents you might bring to show what you can do and what you are interested in doing.
You can ask the staff what recommendations they have for outside of school. Is there something they recommend your parents can do to help you achieve your goals? What about vocational rehabilitation? They should be involved in creating an Individual Transition Plan on what you are going to do after you graduate from high school. What other services or agencies might help you?
Before you sign anything, it is important that you understand everything that is outlined in the plan.
You have the right to take the IEP home and wait a few days before making a decision. You may feel pressure about agreeing to the IEP, since all of these professionals have been inconvenienced by scheduling this meeting and now you are asking for another meeting. It is not an inconvenience. These decisions affect your life. You have the option to take some time and discuss the plan with others before you give your informed consent (agreement to implement the plan). If you do not agree with what is outlined in the plan, you can deny consent and reschedule another meeting.
What to do when things go wrong