There may be times when you will be asked as the child’s classroom professional to attend a Eligibility Committee meeting either for a review of classification, placement, annual review, change in an IEP or a special meeting requested by the parent. When this occurs, keep the following in mind:
1. The first thing you need to do when you receive a request for your participation at an Eligibility Committee meeting is to find out the reason for the meeting. The material required may vary but your preparation prior to the meeting is crucial. If the meeting was called by the parent you may want to have them in for a conference to discuss their concerns.
2. Once you know why the meeting will be held, organize yourself so that you will have information in front of you in the following areas:
- The child’s present academic levels in reading, math, spelling and writing. These may be available as a result of recent individual or group achievement tests, informal evaluations that you may have administered, observation ( although try to be more objective) , class tests etc. Determine grade levels if possible and where the child falls in comparison to others in the class.
- The child’s present pattern of classroom behavior. Write this up in behavioral terms (factual, observable and descriptive notes of behavior that do not include analysis or judgment).
- The child’s present levels of social interaction and social skills.
- The child’s interest areas and areas of strength.
- The child’s present schedule
- Samples of the child’s work
- Outline of parent conferences, phone conversations or meetings and the purpose and outcome of each. These notes should be kept on an ongoing basis.
- Your opinion as to whether the child is benefiting from his present placement
- Any physical limitations noted and their implication on the learning process
- Your opinion on the child’s self-esteem
- Any pertinent comments made by the child that may have an impact on his present situation.
3. You should be well prepared to answer any questions with the above information at hand. When it is your turn to present, do it in an organized manner. Here to you may want to provide the participants with an outline of what you will be covering.
4. Try not to be defensive even if the reason for the meeting is the parent’s concern over the child’s placement in your class or the work load etc. Try to listen carefully as to what the parent is really asking for. It may not be as big of a problem as you may think and try to be solution oriented, even if the parent is blame oriented.
