Rhode Islanders Have a Chance to Help Shape the Future of Special Education

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is asking families, educators, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and service providers to weigh in on a major redesign of the state's Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

According to RIDE, the effort is being guided by the Blueprint & Strategic Plan for Differently-Abled Students' Success and is intended to create a more collaborative, inclusive, and effective IEP process.

The goal is to improve communication and teamwork among everyone involved while ensuring student and family voices are at the center of decision-making.

The agency is seeking feedback from those who interact with the IEP process every day. That includes parents and guardians, teachers, school administrators, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and others who have experience navigating special education services.

RIDE says the information collected will help identify what is currently working, what challenges remain, and how the process can be improved from referral through implementation.

Survey responses will be anonymous and used in aggregate to inform the redesign effort.

Special education policies and procedures can have a lasting impact on students, families, and school communities. For that reason, hearing directly from those with lived experience is an important part of building a system that better serves Rhode Island's differently-abled students.

The surveys are open through Friday, June 26.

For Rhode Islanders who have experience with the IEP process, this may be one of the most direct opportunities to provide input on how special education services are delivered in the state.

Have thoughts on the IEP process? This is your chance to make your voice heard.