Blog | The IEP Guru

Navigating IEP Meetings with Confidence: Insights from The IEP Guru

If you’ve ever walked into an IEP meeting feeling a mix of hope, nerves, and uncertainty—you’re not alone. I’ve sat beside countless families in those very moments—hearts racing, papers spread across the table, all of us focused on one shared goal: helping a child succeed. As an education advocate, I know how complex these meetings can feel. However, with the right preparation, mindset, and support, you can confidently walk into your next IEP meeting feeling informed, empowe

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About… Retained Primitive Reflexes

Does your child have: Hypersensitivity? Poor coordination and balance? Weak muscles/low muscle tone? Poor posture? Oral...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: NOREP/PWN

At a Glance: By law, the parent(s) must be informed of changes to their child’s special education services. NOREP/PWN includes an...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Least Restrictive Environment, Mainstreaming, Full Inclusion… have you heard these words in the special education and special needs...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let's Talk About: Special Education Advocates

Special Education Advocacy is an unregulated industry. This means there is no licensure available and no government regulations for...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Eligibility

The entire purpose of the eligibility process is to determine “whether the child has a disability and the nature and extent of the...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About… Specific Learning Disability Eligibility (SLD)

Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is the big one! The National Center for Educational Statistics (2021-2022 school year) found that 32...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Other Health Impairment (OHI) Eligibility

The Other Health Impairment (OHI) eligibility is a catch-all for students who do not fit in one of the eleven other categories (Autism...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Orthopedic Impairment (OI) Eligibility

Defined by the IDEA in section 34 C.F.R § 300.8(c)(8), Orthopedic Impairment (OI) refers to a child whose severe orthopedic impairments...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Intellectual Disability Eligibility

Only 6 percent of students served under IDEA are eligible under the Intellectual Disability umbrella. This category is extremely specific...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Accommodations vs. Modifications

During an IEP or 504 meeting, the team will discuss accommodations and modifications. Although these two terms are frequently used...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Special Education Law

When someone talks about “The Special Education Law,” they are likely talking about The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Staff Qualifications

The Individual’s with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) specifies the qualifications for Special Education staff. The intention is to...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: School-based Physical Therapy (PT)

October is Physical Therapy Month! So let’s talk about it. Physical Therapy services can be provided in the educational environment....

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: FAPE

FAPE this, FAPE that, children with special education deserve FAPE… but what is FAPE??? FAPE stands for “Free Appropriate Public...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Dyslexia

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. So, let’s talk about dyslexia, its impact on education, and possible school accommodations. One in...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: Class Sizes in Special Education

The Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) has a law (160-4-7-.14) that specifies class sizes by program for special education. Maximum...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let's Talk About: Acronyms

“A B C, it's easy as 1 2 3, as simple as Do Re Me, A B C, 1 2 3…” (That’s a song from the Jackson 5 if you did not know. And I’m dating...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let’s Talk About: DeafBlind and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Eligibility

I decided to write about the DeafBlind Eligibility and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Eligibility categories in the same post. The Georgia...

Dr. Mary Jo Ray-Jewett

Let's Talk About: IEPs vs. 504 plans

You may have heard, “IEPs are better than 504s,” “504 is a light IEP,” or “504s are a waste of time and paper.” The truth is that an IEP...

Dr. Jewett

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Navigating IEP Meetings with Confidence: Insights from The IEP Guru

Let’s Talk About… Retained Primitive Reflexes

Let’s Talk About: NOREP/PWN

Let’s Talk About: The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Let's Talk About: Special Education Advocates

Let’s Talk About: Eligibility

Let’s Talk About… Specific Learning Disability Eligibility (SLD)

Let’s Talk About: Other Health Impairment (OHI) Eligibility

Let’s Talk About: Orthopedic Impairment (OI) Eligibility

Let’s Talk About: Intellectual Disability Eligibility

Let’s Talk About: Accommodations vs. Modifications

Let’s Talk About: Special Education Law

Let’s Talk About: Staff Qualifications

Let’s Talk About: School-based Physical Therapy (PT)

Let’s Talk About: FAPE

Let’s Talk About: Dyslexia

Let’s Talk About: Class Sizes in Special Education

Let's Talk About: Acronyms

Let’s Talk About: DeafBlind and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Eligibility

Let's Talk About: IEPs vs. 504 plans