On Tuesdays we like to highlight The Toolbox—a one-day training program focusing on students with disabilities.  In that training, we talk a lot about the term “IAES”—an Interim Alternative Educational Setting.  The feds have put out a Q and A that defines this term:

Question C-1: What constitutes an IAES?

Answer: What constitutes an appropriate IAES will depend on the circumstances of each individual case. An IAES must be selected so as to enable the child to continue to participate in the general education curriculum, although in another setting, and to progress toward meeting the goals set out in the child’s IEP. 

Like most things involving special education the emphasis here is on a case-by-case determination.  Thus the feds tell us that the appropriate IAES “will depend on the circumstances.”  That’s why it’s important that the IAES for a student be selected by the ARDC.  Even when dealing with “special circumstances” where the principal can order a prompt removal to an alternative setting, the ARDC must be the group that selects the setting.

Of course most districts do not have a dozen settings to choose from.  But all districts have at least one setting that should qualify as an appropriate IAES:  the DAEP.  When you break down what an IAES is, it seems that our Texas DAEPs should be able to satisfy the requirements.

*Are they “interim”?  Yes.

*Are they “alternative”?  Yes.

*Are they “educational”?  Yes.

*Do they “enable the child to participate in the general education curriculum”?  Yes.

*Do they enable the child to “progress toward meeting the goals” in the IEP?  Yes.

As a general rule, then, a DAEP that meets state standards for a DAEP, should qualify as an IAES. But remember that this is never an automatic thing.  Members of the ARDC should review the student’s IEP, and particularly the goals and the services.  Will the student be able to make progress toward achieving these goals while in the DAEP?  Can we still deliver the services that the IEP calls for?  The ARDC may need to consider tweaking and/or adjusting DAEP practices. Remember to fit the DAEP to the student, not the other way around.

This is just one of the topics that we cover in depth in the Toolbox Training. If interested, let me hear from you!

DAWG BONE: I-A-E-S IS USUALLY SPELLED D-A-E-P HERE IN TEXAS.

File this one under: SPECIAL EDUCATION DISCIPLINE

TOMORROW: WE ENTER A NEW MONTH WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING