While this is not a definitive answer, yes, it is possible to complete an online education program while enrolled in an IEP. The nature of your IEP can affect the types of programs that are available to you, and some programs may require more accommodations than others. However, the technology that exists now makes it possible for students who have learning disabilities to succeed in online courses, particularly if they are enrolled in a program that offers flexible learning options and strong student support services.
An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is a plan designed for students who have learning differences that affect their educational progress. The process of developing an IEP begins with the IEP team. Each state has different requirements for this team; however, it generally includes the student’s parents or guardians and teachers, as well as administrators and support staff.
This team meets to discuss the student’s learning needs and goals. From these discussions, the team decides what kind of support the student will need in order to succeed in school. This support may include things like specialized instruction or classes, tutoring, additional time on tests and assignments, and access to assistive technology.
The type of support you’re going to need depends on the specific needs outlined in your IEP. Some students who have an IEP require extra time, more verbal options on tests, or even more in-depth, one-on-one instruction from teachers. Online schools can provide these supports and many others.
In fact, some students who have struggled with traditional school environments are able to thrive at online high schools because of their flexible structure and ability to adapt to each student’s specific situation.
If you’re curious about what it would look like for you to attend an online high school, reach out to admissions counselors at a few different ones. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have about which school could be a good fit for you.
In fact, one of the big advantages of online schools is that they can offer more personalized learning than many traditional schools. With special education programs, students are sometimes grouped together for lessons and activities based on disability type, but in an online school, your student can work one-on-one with their teacher to learn at a pace and method that works for them.
There are several specialized online schools created specifically for students with disabilities. These schools may be able to provide services similar to an IEP, though they may have different names than those used by traditional public schools.
There are two types of online schooling: synchronous and asynchronous. In synchronous learning, students log on and learn at the same time as their classmates, either participating in live video conferences or studying together in real time with their peers using chat programs or other web-based tools. Asynchronous learning is typically more like traditional schooling, where students work on their own, at their own pace, but still have access to teachers and other resources as needed.
Students who enroll in online schools receive curriculum materials in the mail (in some cases on CDs or DVDs), which they use to do assignments at home. Some schools also provide specialized software for students with special needs. The way that students complete coursework and turn in assignments varies from school to school, but is usually done digitally.
An IEP is created for students who have been identified as having special needs that require the school district to provide additional support, accommodation, or modification in order to access education at their grade level. The IEP lays out the supports, accommodations and modifications that the school district must provide in order for that student to access their education. These supports and accommodations may be related to academics, physical activity, social interactions and more.