How can you make ISSPs manageable and effective?
Often the struggle with ISSPs is how
to keep manageable records which are not overly time-consuming and which are useful
teaching and planning tools. There are no easy answers for how to do this. Some tips may
be helpful:
Involve children
wherever possible in deciding on some of their own goals and objectives (outcomes) and in
their own record keeping, thus engaging them personally in their own progress and winning
their commitment. Involving parents as equal partners through the process facilitates
continuity at home. Informal record-keeping sheets or checklists for the child to use, or
a home-school diary might be helpful.
The
more local the process, the higher the degree of ownership. Districts may decide that
individual regions can develop their own formats, in which case this should be a
collaborative exercise involving professionals from all agencies such as a social worker,
a nurse, a psychologist and a physiotherapist. While some of these may not be available
onsite in all communities, consultation with them can occur.
Ensure that the format is quick and easy to complete, yet comprehensive enough to
include all of the necessary components.
Involve, in the writing of the ISSP, the individual(s)
who will be most involved in implementing it
It is
not realistic to expect someone to make decisions regarding how a plan will be implemented
in someone else's environment, nor is it realistic to exclude from the process the very
person who will have much of the responsibility of carrying it out. Professionals need to
work together to ensure that the plan developed is workable in their environment and that
they can be committed to it.
The ISSP
should contain only language that is clear. Overly negative language is usually not
productive. Also, vague and "fuzzy" statements are not helpful. The ISSP
should contain language which accurately describes the child's needs and the plan of
action.
The ISSP
is not a daily responsibility/lesson plan. It does not need to contain every detail on
what you will do with the child but it identifies those aspects of the program/curriculum
that are modified/adapted as well as the support services to be provided.
Don't write an ISSP that will take years to complete. The maximum projection for goals should be one year. You will be reviewing and revising the ISSP twice yearly so the smaller steps can be written to cover from one review date to the next.