IEP for on line school?

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Hi,
I'm new to W.P. I have a 5th grade son with A.S We are just starting a new school on line this year and the school wants to do a IEP for my son.I am not new to IEP meatings we've done two in public school.My question is- has anyone done this for on line? It seems like some of the issues just are not relavent i.e educating the staff,changing the noise/light inviornment and homework modifcation.But what new issues will we need to address?Technological education?
So far all is very nice we have hung out with some of the kids in the same school at group meatings and I'm so happy to see my son with his buddys,something he never had before.
Thanks Aaron's Mom

Hi Aaron's mom. I am a special education coordinator and hold a Master's in Special Education. I also work with our student's independent study program. This is a very gray area in special education law. Independent study is considered the Least Restrictive Environment for a student on an IEP under most circumstances and many online school programs that run through the public school systems provide Resource Support to students. The problem is that students are often placed on an IEP with the understanding that they need specialized academic support. How the school provides that takes some creativity. Remember that the IEP goals guide the placement. The goals must align with the independent study program. You would not write and IEP goal for social skills training if the student will not be on campus but you may write and organizational goal to help find a system for turning in the school work. There are very few accommodations needed to help a student be successful in independent study. The standard ones that work for most of my students are: 1)shortened assignments without losing mastery of the state standard 2)Teacher may use alternate assignment to assess unit knowledge 3) Extended time on assignments. Many of the online programs have technology written in so you might not need the technology intervention. For instance the one I work with will read the written part to the students if they choose that option. You are right that the other accommodations are not necessary to write in the IEP if you don't need them. As a parent you can provide the outside resources to promote socialization. If you end up returning to a school setting you would just hold another IEP meeting to address the change of placement and add needed accommodations back in . You want the IEP to specifically state that the program is an independent study program with RSP support of whatever percent is needed. I have a couple of students who only check in for a few minutes a week and others who need help and are there in my classroom for a couple of hours several days a week. I hope that helps you a little bit.

Thank you happy NT wife,
This is a help!I feel even more sure that we have made the right choice for our family.