The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Teachers make their views known on IPPs

The creation and implementation of individualized program plans (IPPs) to support students with special needs continues to be of concern around the province. Three years have passed since Alberta Education published Setting the Direction Framework: Government of Alberta Response (June 2010). Yet many of the ideals in the Setting the Direction frameworkhave not been realized.

IPPs are under review by Alberta Education. The department’s focus on inclusive education included an online survey to obtain feedback from the field. A review of survey results and teachers’ feedback indicated that the survey questions didn’t elicit in-depth feedback from the field. Therefore, the Alberta Teachers’ Association held a Curriculum Circle to gather additional feedback for submission to Alberta Education. On May 24, teachers, administrators and university representatives gathered at Barnett House to discuss the challenges and opportunities of IPPs.

“The Curriculum Circle was an opportunity for teachers around the province to communicate the purpose and processes in the development and functionality of IPPs,” said Dorothy Arts, president of the ATA’s Special Education Council. Discussions revealed a variety of practices and challenges in creating and implementing IPPs. Mary Frances Fitzgerald, president of the ATA’s Guidance Council and a Curriculum Circle participant, commented: “It was surprising to realize the diversity of special education practices in schools across the province. This kind of deep discussion with other educators fosters professional development and it is exciting to listen to the converging points on a topic as critical as this.”

Joni Turville, ATA executive staff officer, Professional Development, facilitated the Curriculum Circle process and reflected on the day’s findings. “Teachers need time to plan, collaborate and engage in professional development in order to effectively meet the diverse needs of students in today’s classrooms. The huge load of paperwork required through tools like IPPs, the Inclusive Education Planning Tool, Success in Schools plans and reporting tools often converge to create a duplication of information and can detract from time needed to plan for student learning on a day-to-day basis. It’s definitely time to rethink what helps and hinders actual planning for student successes,” Turville said.

Data gathered during the Curriculum Circle will be used to continue advocacy, to further discussions with ministry officials and the provincial Inclusive Education Advisory Committee, and to inform the work of a Blue Ribbon Panel on Inclusive Education that will begin its work this fall. Hayley Christen, president-elect of the Special Education Council, said: “Teachers are the professionals that have the knowledge, understanding and skills to teach our students; it is only appropriate that teachers have input into the IPP process in Alberta. The ATA Curriculum Circle provided teachers with that opportunity.”